Educators had the opportunity to see how the elements of CRISPA can be applied to an informal learning environment - the Denver Zoo!  Marley Steele-Inama, Audience Research & Evaluation Manager, allowed participants to explore the zoo while keeping in mind the elements of CRISPA.  Marley gave educators an inside look at how exhibits were designed to actively engage guests, encourage greater perceptivity, and build connections through experiences with the animals and environment throughout the zoo.  These experiences allowed educators to see how CRISPA can be applied to an informal learning environment to enrich these unique learning opportunities.  

During a trip to the Denver Art Museum, educators had the chance to see how elements of CRISPA could be used to enrich the learning experience outside the classroom.  Participants had the chance to explore artwork through a new lens; literacy integration.  This lens allowed for greater perceptivity of each exhibit, as participants thought carefully about the artists' process, the story the art might tell, and what feelings each piece of art might inspire.  Educators also were able to actively engage in the experiences, and create their own connections to the art through these unique learning experiences.  

This summer, Dr. Bruce Uhrmacher led a two-week long summer class that encouraged educators to think about how their learning experiences as students were impacted through the use of CRISPA, and to think about how they could transfer these elements to their own practice.  Activities such as story telling in groups, creating human statues, and even creating their own interpretations of CRISPA for cumulative projects encouraged risk-taking and active engagement for these educators.