Bambi Yost

Associate Professor, Landscape Architecture

Education

PhD Candidate, Design & Planning, University of Colorado, (ABD, in progress)
Dissertation Topic “Learning Landscapes: Ecology, Environmental Justice, and Green Schoolyards” 
New Committee Members: Professor Lois A. Brink (MLA in Landscape Architecture & Executive Director of Learning Landscapes), Associate Professor Claudio Nigg (PhD in Experimental Psychology; MS in Kinesiology), Assistant Professor Peter Anthamatten (PhD in Geography; MPH in Environmental Health), others TBD
Golden Key Society, Honors Student
Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Colorado, 2005
Master of Urban & Regional Planning, University of Colorado, 2005
Thesis Topic: “Perceptions of Risk in Denver Public School Playgrounds: Multi-Methods Research Strategy & Design”
Advisor:  Dr. Joseph Juhasz
Committee Members:  Dr. Raymond Studer, Associate Professor & Landscape Architecture Department Chair Ann Komara, Associate Professor
Graduated with Honors and Award Recognition
BS, General Arts and Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, 1993 (Areas of Study: Landscape Architecture and Engineering Science - arts/architecture & math/computer science emphasis)
University Scholar, Golden Key Society, graduated with Honors

On the Web

https://www.thebigsandbox.org/initiatives/mount-airy/
https://www.facebook.com/bambi.yost
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bambilyost

Supporting Files

• Short CV
• CV-Short Format (11/02/18)
• Yost 2009 Professional Portfolio (01/04/16)

Research Interests

children, youth, and environments; physical activity and the built environment; benefits of gardening, play, & nature; perceptions of risk in recreation and play settings;  representation of nature and landscapes; service-learning; public interest design; community-based planning and design; playgrounds; schoolyard design; learning landscapes (http://www.active-environments.com/schoolyards/learning-landscapes/); stormwater management; rainwater harvesting; sustainability; designing for health; pedagogy; reflective learning; place-based education; outdoor education curriculum development; land art and installations; poetry of place; visual communication; place attachment; place-making; earthworks; environmental psychology; urban and regional planning; community development; program evaluation; post-occupancy evaluation; mixed-methods and design inquiry; behavior & environment research

Find me online at

http://bambiyost.com (new website in progress)

http://www.design.iastate.edu/landscape-architecture/faculty/byost/ (ISU faculty page)

https://vimeo.com/bambilyost (see for class video projects under my groups)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bambilyost (see for recommendations of me by others)

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bambi_Yost  (see for some of my publications & research)

Assistant Professor

Iowa State University

August 2010 – Present

As an Assistant Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture I teach required and optional courses, mentor and advise students, serve on committees, review incoming graduate and undergraduate student portfolios, organize and lead 4-5 day field trips with 35-45 students, introduce students to practicing landscape architects and other professionals in related fields, invite guest reviewers for critiques and presentations, conduct research and present at conferences, write and review scholarly abstracts and papers for conferences and publication, write grants, and more.

COURSES TAUGHT at ISU:

1. LA 274 Social and Behavioral Landscapes (Transdisciplinary, required course), 3 credits
2. LA 301 Site Planning II/Arch 301 Architectural Design III (required courses, co-taught, transdisciplinary), 6 credits
3. LA 301 Site Planning II (required course), 6 credits
4. LA 401 Community Design (required course), 6 credits
5. LA 404 Advanced Landscape Architectural Design Studio (required course), 6 credits
6. LA 478G Portfolio Design and Advanced Graphics (Online, Interdisciplinary, optional course), 3 credits
7. LA 478/578i Designing for Health (Transdisciplinary, optional course), 3 credits
8. LA 578G Landscape Architecture Representation and Graphics (required course), 3 credits
9. LA 541 Principles of Research for Landscape Architects (required course), 3 credits
10. LA 490 Independent Study Undergraduate Landscape Architecture Courses, variable credits 
11. LA 590 Independent Study Graduate Landscape Architecture Courses, variable credits
12. LA 601 Landscape Representation (required course), 3 credits
13. DSN S 446/546 Upper-level Undergraduate and Graduate Option Studio - Poetry of Place, Earthworks, & Revelations (Interdisciplinary, required course), 6 credits
14. DSN S 102 Core Studio (required course), 4 credits
15. Summer Design Camps for 6-12th graders

Current Projects

Book Proposals

Hunt, J., B. Yost, & A. Schump. (Book proposal in progress, 2016-2018). Working Title: Visual Thinking: The Art of Mindful Seeing & Making. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.

Yost, B. & L. Brink. (Book proposal in progress, 2017). Working Title: Learning Landscapes: A model for sustainable schoolyards and communities. Seeking publication venue. Revised book proposal underway.

Book Chapters

Yost, B. & Jost, D. (2017 invited to submit an abstract, in progress). Challenging Perceptions of Risk & Making the Case for Embracing Risk-Taking.  In Fostering the Inclusion of Youth in the Public Realm: Design processes, practices, and policies for the creation of youth-inclusive public outdoor environments. Janet Loebach, Sarah Little, Adina Cox & Patsy Eubanks Owens (Editors). Children, Youth and Environments (CYE) Network of Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) book proposal.

Yost, B. (2016 abstract submitted, not accepted because of schoolyard content, possibly will be invited for another book later). Denver Learning Landscapes, a Model for Reimagining Schoolyards and Building Community through Play. In Fostering the Inclusion of Youth in the Public Realm: Design processes, practices, and policies for the creation of youth-inclusive public outdoor environments. Janet Loebach, Sarah Little, Adina Cox & Patsy Eubanks Owens (Editors). Children, Youth and Environments (CYE) Network of Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) book proposal. Publisher: TBD.

Journal Articles – Peer Reviewed

Jost, D., Yost, B., Mikus, S., & Ghiasi Gorveh, M. (2016). Making Room for Risk in Play Environments and Play Standards.  Landscape Research Record, 5, 245-260.   Available at http://thecela.org/wp-content/uploads/Landscape-Research-Record-No.-5.pdf and at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312899128_Making_Room_for_Risk_in_Play_Environments_and_Play_Standards

Brink, L. & Yost, B. (2004). Transforming Inner City School Grounds: Lessons from Learning Landscapes. Children, Youth and Environments 14(1), 2004: 208-232.   Available online at http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/14_1/fieldreports/field3.pdf  and http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.14.1.0209 

Journal Articles – In Development

Yost, B. & Hunt, J. (2016 paper in development). Spirit of the Place and the People. Publication outlet: Foundations in Art: Theory and Education (FATE) Journal http://www.foundations-art.org/

Yost, B. (2016, paper in development). Manifesting Manifestos: Learning about self and place through observation, making, and writing. Possible publication outlet: International Conference on the Arts in Society, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.

Book Reviews – Peer Reviewed & by Request Only

Yost, B. (2016 in review). [Book Review of The Playground Project by Gabriela Burkhalter & Kunsthalle Zurich]. Children, Youth and Environments 26(2), 2016. To be available on https://www.jstor.org/journal/chilyoutenvi

Yost, B. (2008). [Book Review of Promoting Children's Wellbeing: Policy and Practice edited by Janet Collins and Pam Foley]. Children, Youth and Environments 18(2), 2008.  Available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.18.2.0299

Yost, B. (2005).  [Book Review of Homegirls in the Public Sphere by Marie (Keta) Miranda]. Children, Youth and Environments 15(1), 2005.  Available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.15.1.0406

Yost, B. (2005).  [Book Review of Resiliency: What We Have Learned by Bonnie Benard]. Children, Youth and Environments 15(1), 2005.  Available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.15.1.0432

Yost, B. (2004).  [Book Review of Reform, Resiliency, and Renewal: Kids in Action- Discovery, Research, Goals, Alternatives, Action, Stewardship by KIDS Consortium]. Children, Youth and Environments 14(2), 2004. Available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.14.2.0314

Yost, B. (2004).  [Book Review of Kids as Planners: A Guide to Strengthening Students, Schools, and Communities through Service-Learning by KIDS Consortium]. Children, Youth and Environments 14(2), 2004. Available at http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.14.2.0314

Invited Exhibitions

2014               Katz, A., Yost, B., et al. (2014) “Digital Technological Detritus” Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities Annual Conference: Iowa State University, Ames, IA. November 5-8, 2014.

• Displayed at Iowa State University in the College of Design in Ames, IA.

Competitions

2016               “2017 Better Philadelphia Challenge Transforming the Tunnel: The Rail Park Design Competition”

Advisor: Bambi Yost       

Four 4th-year undergraduate students from Landscape Architecture, Architecture, & Community and regional Planning             

http://www.philadelphiacfa.org/sites/default/files/bpc_2017_competitionbrief_v2_0.pdf

2016               “Land Art Generator Initiative Design Competition”

Lead Instructor: Bambi Yost

Lead 5th-year BLA Student: Taylor Goetzinger

13 undergraduate 2nd, 4th, & 5th year students

Winners will be announced October 6, 2016 and posted at http://www.landartgenerator.org/winners2016.html                  

2016               National American Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA) Award Submittals

2016               Central States American Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA)  Award Submittals sponsored by six Central States Chapters of the American Society of Landscape Architects. The six ASLA Central States chapters are Arkansas, Great Plains, Iowa, Oklahoma, Prairie Gateway and St. Louis. These chapters encompass the eight US states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas. 

Mt Airy Schoolyards Studio Master Plans (unbuilt work, professional submittal): Entire Studio

2016               Iowa Chapter American Society of Landscape Architecture (ASLA) Award Submittals sponsored by the Iowa Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects

Lead Instructor: Bambi Yost

Mt Airy Schoolyards Studio Master Plans (unbuilt work, professional submittal): Entire Studio

Invited Lectures, Presentations, & Workshops

Yost, B. (2016). “Reimagining the American Schoolyard” presented to students in the Campus-Wide Iowa State University Research Seminar for Undergraduate Students sponsored by the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost  and University Honors Program, Ames, IA, October 25, 2016.   

Yost, B. (2016). “From Freehand to Digital: Exploring Hybrid Drawing Techniques” presented in LAR 310 Design Graphics & Visual Thinking, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, October 24, 2016.

Brink, L., Copeland, B., Thaker, A. & Yost, B. (2015). The Big Sandbox/Mt. Airy USA/ISU presentation to Collaborative Design Review Committee on Dec 15, Noon-1:30 at the Community Design Collaborative Office, Philadelphia, PA. Available online at  http://cdesignc.org/events/next-steps-for-schoolyards-2-1  

Yost, B. (2012). “Poetry of Place.” Invited Speaker. Presented in LAR 750 Landscape Architecture Seminar III, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, October, 2012.

Yost, B. (2010). “Is Schoolyard Greening Just for Gringos?” Invited Speaker. Iowa State University’s Works in Progress (WIPs) Series, Ames, IA, October, 2010.

Conference Workshops –  Peer Reviewed

Yost, B. & Hunt, J. (2015). Call for Abstracts, Reviewers, & Session Moderators for Making “nature” matter: Reflections on nature, earthworks, land art, & environmental art in the 21st century.  National Biennial Foundations in Art: Theory and Education (FATE) "PostHaus" Conference, Savannah College of Art and Design, hosted by Herron School of Art and Design, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). March 25 – 28, 2015.

Conference Presentations - Abstracts Under Review

Yost, B. & Jost, D. (2017 abstract under review). Challenging Perceptions of Risk & Making the Case for Embracing Risk-Taking. International Play Association Conference (IPA): Calgary, Alberta, Canada. September 13-16, 2017.

Yost, B., Brink, L. & Danger, T. (2017 abstract under review). Re-imagining & Rebuilding Public Elementary Schoolyards: City-wide Initiatives, Strategies, & Lessons Learned. International Play Association Conference (IPA): Calgary, Alberta, Canada. September 13-16, 2017.

Conference Presentations – Peer Reviewed Abstracts

Yost, B. (2017 abstract accepted). Denver Learning Landscapes, a Model for Reimagining Schoolyards and Building Community through Play. Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Conference: Beijing, China. May 26-29, 2017.

Yost, B. (2017 abstract accepted).  Loss of Habitat, Health, & Home: Schoolyards as Shelter in Philadelphia as part of an EDRA Intensive Session titled, Home as Authentic Shelter. Contributing authors and presenters include: J. Juhasz, R. Flanagan, L. Paxson, B. Yost, L. Tolderlund, S. Sworts. Environmental Design Research Association: Madison, WI. May 31-June 3, 2017.

Yost, B. (2017 abstract accepted). Exploring Accessibility and Universal Design. Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Conference: Beijing, China. May 26-29, 2017.

Yost, B. (2017 abstract accepted). Psychogeographic Mappings: Poetic Stories Reflecting on the Spirit of a Place Enhance Self-Awareness & Understanding of One’s Environment. Foundations in Art & Theory Education (FATE) Conference.  Intercontinental at the Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, Kansas City, MO. April 6-7th, 2017.

Yost, B. (2016). Reimagining and Greening Philadelphia Schoolyards. Children & Nature Network 2016 International Conference. May 24-27, 2016. Available online at http://www.childrenandnature.org/cnc2016/conference-schedule/

Yost, B. (2016). Playing with Water on Public Elementary Schoolyards. Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA): Raleigh, NC. May 18-21, 2016.

Yost, B. (2016). Looking in from Outside as part of an EDRA Intensive Session titled, The San Andreas Fault in Environmental Design. Contributing authors and presenters include: J. Juhasz, R. Flanagan, D. Thomas, L. Paxson, B. Yost, P. M. Dey, L. Miller, S. Sworts, T. Rockey. Environmental Design Research Association: Raleigh, NC. May 18-21, 2016.

Yost, B., Tolderlund, l., & Hunt, J. D. (2016). Assessing Learning Outcomes Using Cyclical, Scaffolded Student Reflections in Landscape Architecture Courses. Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Conference, Salt Lake City, UT. March 23-26, 2016.

Yost, B. (2016). Proxemics in the Elevator. Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Conference, Salt Lake City, UT. March 23-26, 2016.

Jost, D., Yost, B., Mikus, S., & Ghiasi Gorveh, M. (2016). Making Room for Risk in Play Environments and Play Standards. Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Conference, Salt Lake City, UT. March 23-26, 2016. http://www.cela2016.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2016-final.pdf

Yost, B. (2015). Exploring Hybrid Drawing Techniques in the Session titled, Sketching in Code. Contributing authors and presenters included A. Mekies, R. Alomar, & P. Evans. National Biennial Foundations in Art: Theory and Education (FATE) "PostHaus" Conference, Savannah College of Art and Design, hosted by Herron School of Art and Design, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). March 25 – 28, 2015.

Brink, L. A., Townley, C., Kutchman, E., & Yost, B. (2014). Learning Landscape Field Session. National American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Annual Conference: Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO. November 21–24, 2014.

Yost, B. (2014). The Authenticity of Invasive Systems as part of an EDRA Intensive Session titled, The Authentic Renovated. Contributing authors and presenters include: J. Juhasz, R. Flanagan, D. Thomas, L. Paxson, B. Yost, S. Grabowska, R. Meurant, S. Sworts, J. Spencer, L. Hilton. Environmental Design Research Association: New Orleans, LA. May 28-31, 2014.

Kinney, E. & Yost, B. (2014). Games, An essential part of learning and how they translate into the built environment.  Tri-State (NC, SC, GA) American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Annual Conference, Crowne Plaza Resort, Asheville, NC April 2-4, 2014. Available online at https://www.ncasla.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=3356

Yost, B. (2013). Manifesting Manifestos: Learning about self and place through observation, making, and writing. 2013 Eighth International Conference on the Arts in Society Conference, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary. Available online at http://a13.cgpublisher.com/proposals/397/index_html

Hunt, J., Yost, B., Green, V., & Rogers, C., (2013).  Seeing|Making|Reflecting Strategies for Visual Thinkers in the 21st Century. Foundations in Art: Theory and Education (FATE) Biennial 2013 National Conference, Savannah, GA. April 3-6, 2016.

Yost, B. & Hunt, J. (2012). Lasting Impressions of Land Art and Place. Intersections: Duration Conference. Newcastle, England. Available online at http://www.intersectionspublicart.org.uk/downloads/event_downloads/DURATIONBiogs_original.docx

Hunt, J. and Yost, B. (2012). Spirit of the Place and the People. SECAC Conference, Savannah, GA.

Yost, B., Rogers, C., & Hunt, J. (2011). Open to Re-Interpretation. Environmental Design Research Association Conference, Chicago, IL. Available online at http://www.edra.org/content/open-re-interpretation

Yost, B. (2011). Sustainable Design Collaboration between Casey Middle School Students and University of Colorado Students. Erasing Boundaries Conference at Hunter College, New York City, NY. Available online at https://erasingboundaries.psu.edu/sites/erasingboundaries.psu.edu/files/EB2%20booklet-FINAL.pdf

Rogers, C., Yost, B., & Paxson, L. (2011). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Collaboration in Architecture and Landscape Architecture Design Studio. Erasing Boundaries Conference at Hunter College, New York City, NY. Available online at https://erasingboundaries.psu.edu/sites/erasingboundaries.psu.edu/files/EB2%20booklet-FINAL.pdf

Yost, B. (2011). Benefits of Gardening for Denver Latino and Latina Youth. CELA Conference, Los Angeles, CA. Available online at http://arch-pubs.usc.edu/CELA2011/CELA_Program.pdf

 Yost, B., Hunt, J., & Brink, L. (2011). Drawing on Children's Ideas of Nature. CELA Conference, Los Angeles, CA. Available online at http://www.thecela.org/pdfs/urban-nature2011.pdf

 Hunt, J., Yost, B., Rogers, C., Paxson, L., Goche, P., & Brink, L. (2011). Marking the Site. CELA Conference, Los Angeles, CA. Available online at http://www.thecela.org/pdfs/urban-nature2011.pdf

 Yost, B. (2011). A Critical review of Biophilia and Place Attachment Literature. Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities, Honolulu, HI. Available online at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/294729504_A_Critical_Review_of_Biophilia_and_Place_Attachment_Literature and http://www.hichumanities.org/2011%20FINAL%20AH%20Program.pdf

 Yost, B., Rogers, C., Hunt, J., & Bruski, P. (2011). Mapping Places: A Bridge across Humanities. Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities Available online at http://www.hichumanities.org/2011%20FINAL%20AH%20Program.pdf

Conference Proceedings

Jost, D., Yost, B., Mikus, S., & Ghiasi Gorveh, M. (2016). Making Room for Risk in Play Environments and Play Standards.  Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Conference, Salt Lake City, UT. March 23-26, 2016. Pages 907-940. Available online at http://www.cela2016.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2016-final.pdf  NOTE: Submitted and accepted for special peer-reviewed publication in the Theme Track publication, Dilemma : Debate however due to limited submittals, Keith Christensen, the Theme Track Chair and Utah State University Associate Professor, opted to publish the original paper in the Conference Proceedings instead.  A modified, shorter version was written for publication in the Landscape Research Record.

Other Publications

Yost, B. (2017 in progress). Outreach Studio Grant Report. Iowa State University, College of Design, Ames, IA.

Yost, B. (2016 in progress). Big 12 Fellowship Report. Iowa State University, Office of the Provost, Ames, IA.

Banasiak, M. & Yost, B. (2011). University of Colorado at Boulder survey on undergraduate research in environmental design education. University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO.

Yost, B. and Chawla, L. (2009). Benefits of Gardening for Children.  Children, Youth and Environments Center for Research and Design.  Available online at http://www.colorado.edu/cye/sites/default/files/attached-files/Gardening_factsheet_2011.pdf and

Muller, B., Schulte, S., Langegger, S., Yost, B. & Awuor, G. (2009). Learning from Public Comments: Insights from the Western Oregon Plan Revision. Submitted to the Western Oregon Plan Revision Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Land Use Futures Lab, University of Colorado Denver.  Published as an addendum in the Bureau of Land Management’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement Report, Spring, 2009. Available online at https://ds.lclark.edu/sge/wp-content/uploads/sites/121/2011/10/LearningFromPublicComments.pdf   and https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265247232_Learning_from_Public_Comments_Insights_from_the_Western_Oregon_Plan_Revision?ev=prf_pub

Recognitions

2016                    Received “Central States American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Merit Award” for A. B. Day Master Plan Submittal.

2016                    Received “Central States American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Merit Award” for H. H. Houston Master Plan Submittal.

2016                    Received “Iowa Chapter American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Merit Award” for A. B. Day Master Plan Submittal.

2016                    Received “Iowa Chapter American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Merit Award” for H. H. Houston Master Plan Submittal.

News & Press

Dec., 2016           Wetherbee, B. and Brink, L. (2016). “Graduate students reinvent schoolyards” Available at http://www.cudenvertoday.org/graduate-students-reinvent-schoolyards-philadelphia/

Oct., 2016            Farnsworth, T. (2016). “What would you like to see improved at these three South Philly schoolyards?” Published 21, 2016. Philadelphia, PA.  Available at http://www.passyunkpost.com/2016/10/21/what-would-you-like-to-see-improved-at-the-childs-elementary-schoolyard-fill-out-this-survey/#sthash.ZS0oCbLr.dpuf

Oct., 2016            Gaffigan, J. (2016). “Back to School! Celebrating Community One Schoolyard at a Time.” Available at https://www.thebigsandbox.org/back-to-school-celebrating-community-one-schoolyard-at-a-time/

Aug., 2016          Woodbury, E. and Nebbe, C. (Interviewers) & Yost, B., Brown, S., Grenko Lehman, J. & Vazou, S. (Interviewees). (2016). “Playgrounds and the Importance of Play” [Interview Transcript]. Published August 14, 2016. Retrieved from Bambi Yost's www.Researchgate.net Web site: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306097484_Bambi_Yost_Stuart_Brown_Grenko_Lehman_Spyridoula_Vazou_2016_Playgrounds_and_the_Importance_of_Play_-_Talk_of_Iowa_Public_Radio_Interview_By_EMILY_WOODBURY_CHARITY_NEBBE?showFulltext=1&linkId=57b080bf08ae95f9d8f3b6f9

July, 2016            Kannan, V. (2016). “Community workers making school playgrounds green.” Published July 27, 2016. The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA. Also published online at www.Philly.com  Available at http://articles.philly.com/2016-07-27/news/74713189_1_new-playground-chestnut-hill-philadelphia-school-district and http://articles.philly.com/2016-07-27/news/74713154_1_new-playground-chestnut-hill-philadelphia-school-district

June, 2016          Higher Education Tribune Reports (2016). “Iowa State team improves schoolyards nationally.” Available at http://highereducationtribune.com/stories/510940475-iowa-state-team-improves-schoolyards-nationally  Published June 28, 2016.

June, 2016          Barron, T. (2016). “Breathing new life into schoolyards benefits entire communities.” Available at http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2016/06/23/yostplaygrounds and http://www.newswise.com/articles/breathing-new-life-into-public-schoolyards-benefits-entire-communities  Published June 27, 2016. Iowa State University, Ames, IA & on Newswise.  NOTE:  This article has been shared on numerous websites including the Children & Nature Network, the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, The Big Sandbox, & a variety of Facebook pages related to children’s environments.

Oct, 2015             Roshania, N. (2015). “Students at Mt. Airy's Emlen Elementary draw up dream playground.” Available online at http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/nw-philadelphia/87254-students-at-mt-airys-emlen-elementary-draw-up-dream-playground Published Oct 15, 2015. Philadelphia, PA.

Oct, 2015             Anderson, T. (2015). “Designing schoolyards in Northwest Philadelphia.” Published in The Examiner. Article available online at http://www.examiner.com/article/designing-schoolyards-northwest-philadelphia Published Oct 12, 2015. Philadelphia, PA.

April, 2014          Interviewed by writer, Dan Jost, for a Landscape Architecture Magazine article about a new report focused on Playground Utilization in NYC which can be found here: http://www.ny4p.org/research/other-reports/PlaygroundUtilization.pdf

May, 2012           Interviewed for an internal Iowa State University Foundation report related specifically to my visit to meet with ISU alumnus Steve King and to see his company, Landscape Structures in Minnesota.

April, 2011          Interviewed for an article about Cory Elementary School’s Learning Landscape which was built in the summer of 2011 in Denver, CO.  Article available online at http://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/co/2011/04/22/healthy-schools-highlights-2/#.V65zUU0rJD8  

Radio Interviews

July, 2016                     Woodbury, E. and Nebbe, C. (Interviewers) & Yost, B., Brown, S., Grenko Lehman, J. & Vazou, S. (Interviewees). (2016). “Playgrounds and the Importance of Play” [Audio Recording]. Aired live online July 12, 2016. Retrieved from Iowa Public Radio's Talk of Iowa Web site: http://iowapublicradio.org/post/playgrounds-and-importance-play#stream/0

March, 2007       Juhasz, J. (interviewer) & Yost, B. (interviewee). “Playgrounds for Denver Public Schools.”  [Audio Recording]. Aired live online March 12, 2007. Retrieved from KGNU radio website: http://kgnu.org/cgi-bin/programinfo.py?time=1173722400

Teaching Related Grants

2016

Awarded $5,000                     Spring 2016     Iowa State University College of Design                                                                                            Outreach Studio Grant (author)

Current Projects and Programs

2016                              Reimagining South Philadelphia Schoolyards, Philadelphia, PA.  This fall in my LA 404 Advanced Landscape Architecture Studio, we created 4 master plan documents, illustrative drawings, implementation plans, cost estimates, design documents, and fundraising materials for the following 4 South Philadelphia Public Elementary Schools:

1. G. W. Childs (k-8) Elementary School
2. Stephen Girard (k-4) Elementary School
3. Eliza B. Kirkbride (k-8) Elementary School
4. General George A. McCall (k-8) Elementary School

                              Collaboration with The Big Sandbox and these four school communities, eight nonprofits, and two University research centers is on-going. Master plans will be finalized this spring, 2017.  Our overall goal is to increase schoolyard reimagining and regreening throughout the Philadelphia School District and to generate momentum and excitement within the Philadelphia Community. We aim to improve quality of life for students, parents, teachers, and community members while increasing economic opportunities for landscape architects, construction workers, designers, artists, and other related industries.  Research has shown that improved and greened community-based schoolyards, which serve as pocket parks and civic centers of engagement, improve not just educational, recreational, and environmental amenities but also social and economical factors as well.

                              Memorandums of Understanding (MOU’s) between Iowa State University and The Big Sandbox are in the works in an effort to solidify future collaborations. I am also part of a larger Schoolyard Consortium, a group of invested researchers dedicated to investigating and promoting healthy and sustainable schoolyard designs, planning to be based at Philadelphia University.

2015 & 2016       Innovative Stormwater Playscapes, Ames, IA and Delano, MN. We worked with Landscape Structures Inc. the first 3-4 weeks of the fall semester LA 401 & LA 404/504 studios to develop innovative stormwater designs for playscapes and play equipment. This initial project serves as a way to loosen up students, to increase their creativity, and to get them thinking quickly on real-world design solutions that might actually lead to production.  In addition, students presented their work to Landscape Structures Inc. designers; and toured the manufacturing plant in an effort to learn more about the play equipment industry and playscape/recreational design. Landscape Structures wants to push the boundaries of how we play with stormwater and we are sharing our ideas and design innovations in the hopes that some of our designs might be manufactured.  To date we have presented 23 individual and team-based innovative and modular playscapes/play equipment design document packets to Landscape Structures’ design team.  This project may lead to future research funding.

2016                     Park Gate McIlhenny Mansion National Historical Nomination, located on the Lingelbach Elementary School Property, Philadelphia, PA.  We are working with the Germantown Historical Society and the Lingelbach school community to save an historic mansion on the Lingelbach school site and are in the process of resubmitting a National Historical Nomination. These small but important improvements make a huge difference in economically, socially, and environmentally disadvantaged communities. We have increased parental, student, and community involvement in this endeavor through our on-going master planning process.

2016                              Two book proposals are currently underway:

Hunt, J., B. Yost, & A. Schump. (Book proposal in progress, 2016-2017). Working Title: Visual Thinking: The Art of Mindful Seeing & Making. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.

Yost, B. & L. Brink. (Book proposal in progress, 2016). Working Title: Learning Landscapes: A model for sustainable schoolyards and communities. Seeking publication venue. Revised book proposal underway. This book will result from the culmination of my experience with Denver Learning Landscapes from 2001- longitudinal dissertation research and years of applied research in Denver.

2015                     Reimagining Mt. Airy Schoolyards, Philadelphia, PA.  Last fall we created 6 master plan documents (averaging 60 pages each) for the following 6 Philadelphia Public Elementary Schools:

1. A.B. Day Elementary School
2. Eleanor C. Emlen Elementary School
3. John S. Jenks Elementary School
4. Henry H. Houston Elementary School
5. Anna B. Lingelbach Elementary School
6. C. W. Henry Elementary School

                              These six fall 2015 Mt. Airy master plans were revised after receiving community feedback three times over the spring and summer of 2016. Community revised documents include: illustrative drawings, written master plans, phased construction drawings, revised budgets, and preliminary fundraising materials.  The Big Sandbox coordinated meetings and reviewed documents with me and these six school communities.  Nine LA 490 Independent Study landscape architecture students assisted me with revisions and design development spring of 2016.

                              In addition, collaboration with The Big Sandbox and Mt. Airy USA and the LandHealth Institute is still on-going with the schools and other invested community and government organizations.  These six schools and three nonprofits have begun fundraising efforts with materials we produced.  We also created videos for a FundISU website/campaign to fund additional Philadelphia Schoolyard efforts in the future.

Future Projects and Programs

2017                     Continue working with our 10 Philadelphia Schools and Future Philadelphia Schoolyard Communities, in collaboration with The Big Sandbox, the University of Colorado Denver, Philadelphia University, the New Hampshire Stormwater Center, and hopefully others, to redesign and rebuild these neglected and underserved communities.

2017                     Help expand and develop a National Schoolyard Consortium, a Multi-University Research Consortium to be housed in the Philadelphia University Lab for Urban + Social Innovation (LUSI), with the mission to create a national transdisplenary technical assistance/research initiative for the redevelopment of the over 300 elementary schools in the city of Philadelphia.  The goal of the consortium is to establish a multi-disciplinary team of professors and students with expertise from, the built environment, industrial design, policy analysis, nutrition, sustainability, landscape architecture, elementary education and school health to create a scalable model for sustainable schoolyard design.  With nationally renowned expertise in both evidence-based and applied research, the consortium will focus on evaluating critical data and implementation strategies to replicate the program in urban school districts across the United States. This Schoolyard Consortium is a collaboration between 3 Universities currently: Iowa State University, University of Colorado Denver, & Philadelphia University. The Big Sandbox started discussions about a National Schoolyard Consortium in 2013 and is actively seeking collaborators, funding, and research partners.

2017                     Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Interdisciplinary Research Leaders Grant (co-author) in collaboration with Eve Kutchman, formerly at the University of Colorado’s Active Environments Research Center and currently at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Research & Creative Grants

Wrote, collaborated, and assisted with grant writing, advising, reviewing, and editing of the following grants:

2016

Awarded $1500                     Spring 2016            ISU Big 12 Fellowship (author)

2014

Put on Hold                            Spring 2014            Diversity Grant Proposal to the Dean of the College of                              Design (collaborator)

2013

Awarded $1252.00                Spring 2013            ISU Foreign Travel Grant for conference in Budapest,                              Hungary (author)            

2012

Requested $5,000(N/A)        Spring 2012            Center for Excellence in the Arts & Humanities (CEAH)                     tenure-track faculty research grant (author)        

2010

Awarded $1 million              Fall 2010  United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food        and Nutrition Service (FNS) Peoples Garden Pilot                  Program (advisor)

Service

Lead Track Co-Chair

2016-2019         Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Communication & Visualization

Academic Peer Reviewer

2016                    One full paper for Landscape Journal

Reports

Community-Based and Community-Refereed Publications

2015-2016   MT. Airy Schoolyards in Northwest Philadelphia, PA

(Available online at   https://www.thebigsandbox.org/initiatives/mount-airy/ )

Yost, B. & Birnbaum, E. (2016 in progress). Historic Nomination for Anna B. Lingelbach Elementary School’s Mansion, Park Gate McIlhenny Mansion. Philadelphia  Historical Commission, Philadelphia, PA.

Yost, B. & Marinis, T. (2016). Mt. Airy Green Infrastructure Plan. Submitted to Mt. Airy USA, Philadelphia, PA.

Yost, B., T. Goetzinger, C. Easter, J. Haines, & I. B. Clark. (2015). John S. Jenks Elementary School Master Plan. Written master plan document, illustrative drawings, and design drawings submitted to The Big Sandbox and Philadelphia Public Schools. Iowa State University Landscape Architecture Department, 158 College of Design, Ames, IA 50011. Available online at https://www.thebigsandbox.org/initiatives/mount-airy/j-s-jenks-school/

Yost, B., K. Gould, A. Holtman, E. Birnbaum, & H. Da. (2015). Anna B. Lingelbach Elementary School Master Plan. Written master plan document, illustrative drawings, and design drawings submitted to The Big Sandbox and Philadelphia Public Schools. Iowa State University Landscape Architecture Department, 158 College of Design, Ames, IA 50011. Available online at https://www.thebigsandbox.org/initiatives/mount-airy/anna-l-lingelbach/

Yost, B., T. Buescher, M. Dierks, K. Hamerlinck, & M. Van Denack. (2015). Anna Blankiston Day Elementary School Master Plan. Written master plan document, illustrative drawings, and design drawings submitted to The Big Sandbox and Philadelphia Public Schools. Iowa State University Landscape Architecture Department, 158 College of Design, Ames, IA 50011. Available online at https://www.thebigsandbox.org/initiatives/mount-airy/anna-blakiston-day-school/

Yost, B., C. Diggins, N. Dai, & B. Andera. (2015). Eleanor C. Emlen Elementary School Master Plan. Written master plan document, illustrative drawings, and design drawings submitted to The Big Sandbox and Philadelphia Public Schools. Iowa State University Landscape Architecture Department, 158 College of Design, Ames, IA 50011. Available online at https://www.thebigsandbox.org/initiatives/mount-airy/emlen-c-eleanor-school/

Yost, B., B. Osland, S. Davids, T. Wald, & E. Cook. (2015). H. H. Houston Elementary School Master Plan. Written master plan document, illustrative drawings, and design drawings submitted to The Big Sandbox and Philadelphia Public Schools. Iowa State University Landscape Architecture Department, 158 College of Design, Ames, IA 50011. Available online at https://www.thebigsandbox.org/initiatives/mount-airy/1001-2/

Yost, B., K. Schellhorn, J. Cai, T. Marinis, & J. Brouillette. (2015). Charles W. Henry Elementary School Master Plan. Written master plan document, illustrative drawings, and design drawings submitted to The Big Sandbox and Philadelphia Public Schools. Iowa State University Landscape Architecture Department, 158 College of Design, Ames, IA 50011. Available online at https://www.thebigsandbox.org/initiatives/mount-airy/emlen-elementary/

Refereed Presentations at Meetings

2016                      Yost, B. and L. A. Brink (2016). John S. Jenks Elementary School Master Plan. Written master plan document and drawings presented at a meeting with Philadelphia Public Schools, the Mt. Airy USA Schools Coalition, and local community members, Feb. 16, 2016. John S. Jenks Elementary School, Philadelphia, PA.

Yost, B. and L. A. Brink (2016). Anna B. Lingelbach Elementary School Master Plan. Written master plan document and drawings presented at a meeting with Philadelphia Public Schools, the Mt. Airy USA Schools Coalition, and local community members, Feb. 16, 2016. Anna B. Lingelbach Elementary School, Philadelphia, PA.

Yost, B. and L. A. Brink (2016). Anna Blankiston Day Elementary School Master Plan. Written master plan document and drawings presented at a meeting with Philadelphia Public Schools, the Mt. Airy USA Schools Coalition, and local community members, Feb. 16 & 19, 2016. Anna Blankiston Day Elementary School, Philadelphia, PA.

Yost, B. and L. A. Brink (2016). Eleanor C. Emlen Elementary School Master Plan. Written master plan document and drawings presented at a meeting with Philadelphia Public Schools, the Mt. Airy USA Schools Coalition, and local community members, Feb. 17, 2016. Eleanor C. Emlen Elementary School, Philadelphia, PA.

Yost, B. and L. A. Brink (2016). H. H. Houston Elementary School Master Plan. Written master plan document and drawings presented at a meeting with Philadelphia Public Schools, the Mt. Airy USA Schools Coalition, and local community members, Feb. 17, 2016. H. H. Houston Elementary School, Philadelphia, PA.

Yost, B. and L. A. Brink (2016). Charles W. Henry Elementary School Master Plan. Written master plan document and drawings presented at a meeting with Philadelphia Public Schools, the Mt. Airy USA Schools Coalition, and local community members, Feb. 17, 2016. Charles W. Henry Elementary School, Philadelphia, PA.

Recent Projects

2016                              4 South Philadelphia Schoolyard Community Design Projects: Childs, Girard, Kirkbride, & McCall Elementary School Communities, Philadelphia, PA. Deliverables: Master Plans, Implementation Plans, Phasing & Design Documents, Budgets, & Fundraising Materials.

2016                     William McKinley Elementary School Community-Based Schoolyard Improvement Project. Clients: The Big Sandbox and McKinley Elementary School, Philadelphia, PA. Scope: Worked for 2-days with McKinley school teacher, Maria Texador, and elementary school students to prune, weed, mulch, and redesign key areas in 6 schoolyard gardens and the main entryways to the building. Deliverables: Physical labor and improved landscape.

2015-present     6 NW Philadelphia Schoolyard Community Design Projects: Day, Emlen, Henry, Houston, Jenks, & Lingelbach School Communities, Philadelphia, PA. Deliverables: Master Plans, Green Infrastructure Master Plan, Phasing & Design Documents, & Cost Estimates.

Recent Educational Outreach

2016                     Led Multiple Design Charrettes & Presented Works in Progress with G. W. Childs Philadelphia Public Elementary School Community, Students, Teachers, Parents, Neighbors, & LA 404 Advanced Landscape Architecture Philadelphia Schoolyards Studio Students.  Philadelphia, PA. October, 2016 & November, 2016.

2016                     Led Multiple Design Charrettes & Presented Works in Progress with Stephen Girard Philadelphia Public Elementary School Community, Students, Teachers, Parents, Neighbors, & LA 404 Advanced Landscape Architecture Philadelphia Schoolyards Studio Students.  Philadelphia, PA. October, 2016 & November, 2016.

2016                     Led Multiple Design Charrettes & Presented Works in Progress with Eliza B. Kirkbride Philadelphia Public Elementary School Community, Students, Teachers, Parents, Neighbors, & LA 404 Advanced Landscape Architecture Philadelphia Schoolyards Studio Students.  Philadelphia, PA. October, 2016 & November, 2016.

2016                     Led Multiple Design Charrettes & Presented Works in Progress with General George A. McCall Philadelphia Public Elementary School Community, Students, Teachers, Parents, Neighbors, & LA 404 Advanced Landscape Architecture Philadelphia Schoolyards Studio Students.  Philadelphia, PA. October, 2016 & November, 2016.

2015                     Led Design Charrette with A. B. Day Philadelphia Public Elementary School Community, Students, Teachers, & LA 401 Community Design Mt. Airy Schoolyards Students.  Philadelphia, PA. October, 2015.

2015                     Led Design Charrette with H. H. Houston Philadelphia Public Elementary School Community, Students, Teachers, & LA 401 Community Design Mt. Airy Schoolyards Students.  Philadelphia, PA. October, 2015.

2015                     Led Design Charrette with A. B. Lingelbach Philadelphia Public Elementary School

                              Community, Students, Teachers, & LA 401 Community Design Mt. Airy Schoolyards Students.  Philadelphia, PA. October, 2015.

2015                     Led Design Charrette with J. S. Jenks Philadelphia Public Elementary School Community, Students, Teachers, & LA 401 Community Design Mt. Airy Schoolyards Students.  Philadelphia, PA. October, 2015.

2015                     Led Design Charrette with Eleanor C. Emlen Philadelphia Public Elementary School Community, Students, Teachers, & LA 401 Community Design Mt. Airy Schoolyards Students.  Philadelphia, PA. October, 2015.

2013                     Led Design Charrette with the Mayor of Eagle, CO & LA 301 Site Design II undergraduate and graduate students. Town Hall, Eagle, CO. October, 2013.

Outreach Service

Lead Track Co-Chair

2016-2019           Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Communication & Visualization

Board Member

2017 - 2019         Prairie Rivers of Iowa’s Outdoor Learning Environments in Iowa Advisory Member

2014-Present     Chair of Advisory Board & Outdoor Education Lead, NatureWorkshop: Nature-based sustainability consulting, education, & charitable service

2014 - 2016         Prairie Rivers of Iowa’s Outdoor Learning Environments in Iowa Advisory Member

Invited ASLA Reviewer

2014                     Iowa Chapter American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Awards Submission Reviewer for Potomac Chapter Submittals, Des Moines, IA.  Commented, discussed, and voted on 35 submittals to ASLA’s Potomac Chapter. Awarded 6 Honor Awards, 5 Merit Awards, 1 President’s Award, and 1 Traveling Award.

INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE

2015- present    University Lectures & Exhibits Committee

2010- present    College of Design Lectures and Exhibitions Board, Chair since 2011                           

2010- present    College of Design Diversity Board Member

2010- present    LA Dept. Curriculum, Mission, Goals, & Strategic Plan Revisions

2010- present    LA Dept. Faculty Advisor to Graduate Student Organization (Ab)Terris

2010- present    College of Design Graduation Ceremonies

2010-2016           LA Dept. CELA Faculty Representative

2010-2016           LA Dept. Faculty Advisor to Sigma Lambda Alpha

2010-2016           LA Dept. Graduate Program Committee Member       

2013                     College of Design Multicultural Liaison Officer Search Committee (summer)

2012-2013           LA Dept. Dale Carnegie Training: Collaborative Foundations (10 sessions)        

2010-2012           College of Design Master of Design Sustainable Environments Committee Member

2011-2013           LA Dept. Undergraduate Portfolio Review Committee (spring)

2011-2012           LA Dept. Tenure-track Faculty Search Committee (spring)

2011                     College of Design Multicultural Liaison Officer Search Committee (fall)

2010-2013           Provided input to the College of Design Liaison Council & Ad Hoc Governance Document Committee Members on a regular basis and participated in numerous meetings about the restructuring of our College

2010-2011           University Committee on Women Member (fall)

2010-2011           College of Design Lectures and Exhibitions Board Member (spring)

2008-2010           University of Colorado at Boulder Graphics Committee

Current Scholarship

• Re-imagining & Rebuilding Public Elementary Schoolyards: City-wide Initiatives, Strategies, & Lessons Learned, 09/16/2017

  Yost, B. & Danger, T. (2017). Re-imagining & Rebuilding Public Elementary Schoolyards: City-wide Initiatives, Strategies, & Lessons Learned. International Play Association Conference (IPA): Calgary, Alberta, Canada. September 13-16, 2017.

   

• Challenging Perceptions of Risk & Making the Case for Embracing Risk-Taking, 09/16/2017

  Yost, B. & Jost, D. (2017). Challenging Perceptions of Risk & Making the Case for Embracing Risk-Taking. International Play Association Conference (IPA): Calgary, Alberta, Canada. September 13-16, 2017.

• Lead Track Co-Chair for Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Communication & Visualization, 08/29/2016

  Lead Track Co-Chair

  2016-2019         Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Communication & Visualization

   

   

• Iowa Chapter American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Student Merit Award, 04/28/2016

  Iowa Chapter American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Student Merit Award for A B Day Master Plan Submittal. Students: Tim Buescher, Madison Dierks, Katie Hamerlinck, & Morgan Van Denack. Studio work submitted from Assistant Professor Bambi Yost's LA 401 Community Design Mt. Airy Schoolyards Studio, Fall 2015.

• Games, An essential part of learning and how they translate into the built environment., 04/02/2014

  Kinney, E. & Yost, B. (2014). Games, An essential part of learning and how they translate into the built environment.  Tri-State (NC, SC, GA) American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Annual Conference, Crowne Plaza Resort, Asheville, NC April 2-4, 2014. Available online at https://www.ncasla.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=3356

  Abstract: Games have long been used as methods of edification which allow generations to pass on learning to youth. This presentation documents the history of games, and proposes that they fall into three categories which present unique teaching opportunities- games of morality, games of strategy, and games of agility. This presentation further explores how games may be incorporated into the landscape with specific design and construction examples and ideas for learning landsapes. Objective research and quantitative evidence for the value of play will also be presented to provide a substantive underpinning.

  Learning Objectives: 

  Learn about the history of games and their role as educational tools.

  Learn about the evidence for the benefits of outdoor based education and play.

  Learn about examples of educational landscapes and discover potential new opportunities.

• Spirit of the Place and the People , 11/09/2011
  “Subject both of science and art, the landscape functions as a mirror and a lens: in it we see the space we occupy and ourselves as we occupy it” (Kastner and Wallis, 1998, p. 80).  This paper documents student ‘interventions’ in landscapes which directly respond to the genius loci or spirit of the place. Field trips and precedent studies of historic earthworks and land art projects inspired discussions about what it means to create such works today. Students were challenged to engage with the land – both physically, through the use of found, on‐site objects, and emotionally, through personal reflections and responses to the site. Writing stirs the imagination, heightens awareness, and provides an opportunity to document process and discovery; Poetry, observational narratives, and introspective papers express student reactions to their landscape interventions. Drawings, photographs, and writings about student’s land art installations reflect rich understanding of a site’s context, visual qualities, temporal aspects, land forms, flora, fauna, and human interactions. Installations, inspired by specific places, offer a process-driven means to survey a landscape through interpretation, marking, and reinterpretation. Today, as in the past, land art projects reflect the spirit of a place and the people, as a mirror and a lens. Reference:Kastner, J. and B., Wallis (1998). Land and Environmental Art. Phaidon Press.
• Open to Re-Interpretation, 05/28/2011

  Title:               Open to Re-Interpretation

   

  Track:             Visual Communication, Design or E&B Education,  and Other

   

  Type:              Interactive Visual Display and Panel Discussion

   

  Authors: 

  Assistant Professor Bambi Yost, MLA, MURP (Iowa State University) 

  Assistant Professor Jon Hunt, MLA (Kansas State University)

  Associate Professor Carl Rogers, MLA, MARCH (Iowa State University)

   

  Discussants:

  Dr. Lynn Paxson, PhD (Iowa State University)

  Dr. Joseph Juhasz, PhD (University of Colorado)

    

  Abstract

   

  In this interactive visual panel session participants will be asked to re-interpret and explore places through imagery. Participants will be encouraged to interpret student drawings and models produced out of two similar but different classes. Both courses emphasize the need to interpret a place, to make a mark, and to reinterpret through drawings and models. This process of reinterpretation is cyclical, reflexive, and exploratory. Students have created work which even they did not expect.

   

  The primary objective of this session is to generate dialogue about the process of reiteration and reinterpretation as critical components of understanding, representing, and experiencing place both internally and externally.

   

  Work to be explored includes:

  1) Drawings of student built land art installations over time

  2) Drawings and models of student interventions and reinterpretations over time

  3) Imagined, emotive, and expressive representations of place

  4) Things hidden and revealed through drawing and reinterpretation

   

  Please join us as we continue our discussion about place, representation, and reinterpretation through time.

    

  Keywords: landscape representation, design, place, drawing, images, reinterpretation, seeing, experience, emotive, sensual, imagined, revealed

   

  Learning Objectives:

  1. To provide new ways of engaging with places through reiterative design and reflection
  2. To critically interpret student drawings and models in an effort to generate new interpretations and dialogue about place
  3. To discuss how landscapes and personal experiences in place are represented
• Drawing on Children's Ideas of Nature, 04/02/2011

  Authors:

  Bambi Yost, Iowa State University (lead)

  Lois Brink, University of Colorado at Denver 

  Jon Hunt, Kansas State University

  Abstract:

  The purpose of this paper is to call attention to youth perspectives of nature through children’s drawings and public art on Denver Public School Learning Landscape school grounds. Abundant literature exists about how to use children’s drawings to design and how to create public murals with children but very little research focused specifically on how urban youth perceive and value nature through drawings and public art can be found. The Learning Landscapes Initiative has been creating public art with youth since 1998 and yet virtually nothing has been published about how Denver youth portray nature.  One report focused on youth preferences for their schoolyards indicates an affinity for flowering plants, trees, and grass (Webb, Yost, Brink, van Vliet, 2004) but no formal research focused on representation of nature has been conducted.  Research on community-based art projects with youth have been shown to increase a sense of ownership and empowerment (Brink & Yost, 2004; Forrestel, 2004), to provide educational opportunities (Brink & Yost, 2004; Forrestel, 2004), and to limit graffiti and tagging on school sites (Yost, DiCarlo, & Holmberg, 2004). What has not been fully explored is how Denver youth portray nature within their urban school settings. Methods employed for this study include in-depth analysis of children’s drawings and public artwork which includes murals, banners, tiles, sculptures, and more. Methodological issues abound when attempting to interpret children’s drawings (Driskell, 2002; Ring, 2001). In an effort to better understand, interpret, and categorize drawings, we reviewed notes from group discussions about final art projects, analyzed artwork in context of the site, and identified symbolic and unique expressions of natural elements, processes, or settings in youth artwork.  Initial analysis indicates that many Denver youth have a Romanticized image of nature and are not fully aware of how a semi-arid climate like Denver’s impacts landscapes. Images of children’s drawings and public artwork reflect youth values and a desire for biotic and abiotic communities on school grounds. Images of existing artwork will be shown to expand this discussion about how Denver urban youth represent nature through drawings.  

  References:

  Brink, L. and Yost, B. (2004). Transforming Inner City School Grounds: Lessons from Learning Landscapes. Children, Youth and Environments 14(1), 2004: 208-232.   Available at http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/14_1/fieldreports/field3.pdf Driskell, D. (2002). Creating better cities with children and youth: A manual for participation. Paris, France: UNESCO. Forrestel, P. (2004). Empowering youth: A framework for evaluating community-based art education. University of Florida. Ring, K. (2000). Young children talking about their drawings: Methodological dilemmas. Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, CardiffUniversity, September 7-10, 2000. Webb, J., Yost, B., Brink, L., and Van Vliet, W. (2004). Learning Landscape Photo Surveys- Initial Composite Study Spring 2004. Denver, CO: The University of Colorado at Denver and the University of Colorado at Boulder, Architecture and Planning.  Paper cited in professional publications. Yost, B., Di Carlo, S., and Holmberg, J. (2004). “Spatial Analysis of the Learning Landscape Initiative’s Impact on Graffiti in Denver Neighborhoods and on Denver’s Public Elementary School Playgrounds.” Paper presented at a meeting with Denver Public Schools and the Learning Landscape Alliance, May. Denver, CO: University of Colorado at Denver, Architecture and Planning Department. 
• Yost, B. (2010). Benefits of Gardening for Denver Latino and Latina Youth. Council of Educators of Landscape Architecture (CELA) Conference, Los Angeles, CA., 03/31/2011
  Paper presentation.
• Biography, 10/28/2010
  Prior to Iowa State University I taught numerous undergraduate and graduate courses in architecture, landscape architecture, environmental design, & urban and regional planning at the University of Colorado at Denver and Boulder campuses.  Since 2001, I worked as the Project Manager for Professor Lois A. Brink’s Learning Landscape program. In addition to overseeing construction and budgets, I planned, designed, organized, and led community-based design-builds. I also taught a trilogy of courses at the University which supported the community process. To date, 48 Denver Public School Learning Landscape playgrounds have been rebuilt and sustained with Denver community, partnering organizations, Denver Public Schools faculty and students, University of Colorado at Denver graduate students, and AmeriCorps volunteers as part of this service-learning trilogy of courses. Over the years I have helped Learning Landscapes raise 58 million dollars through public and private donations, grants, and school bonds to support the Learning Landscapes. In addition, I currently am working with two schools in Brighton, CO, a rural area with relatively no money, and have a vested interest in their continued success.  Prior to pursuing my masters degrees, I was a Program Manager and Environmental Educator for five years for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Virginia where I designed and led watershed and wetlands programs. I have an extensive background in participatory planning, youth empowerment, community development, outdoor education, volunteer coordination, physical design and construction, grant research and writing, and project management. While there I also taught K-12 teachers watershed training and curriculum development through Norfolk University and through the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s continuing education program for teachers. My dissertation focuses on Latino and Latina youth perspectives of revitalized Learning Landscape schoolyards at Eagleton Elementary School. I have conducted a significant amount of research at this school over the years but never focused on how youth perceive designed naturalized areas on their greened playground. I will be conducting research this coming summer, 2011, using photos and video, focus groups, photo-surveys, and children’s drawings. I am particularly interested in learning more about how urban Latino and Latina youth use, value, and perceive the natural world on school grounds. Research Center Affiliations:Children, Youth and Environments Center for Research and Design with Dr. Louise Chawla (http://thunder1.cudenver.edu/cye/index.htm)Learning Landscapes with Professor Lois A. Brink (http://www.learninglandscapes.org)Land Use Futures Lab with Dr. Brian Muller (http://home.comcast.net/~rpglam/storage/projects.html) Research with Dr. Louise Chawla and the Children, Youth and Environments (CYE) Center focuses on beneficial environments for children and youth. My research for Dr. Brian Muller and the Land Use Futures Lab focused on qualitative methods and analysis and public comments as they relate to place attachment to BLM lands and national forests. And my research with Professor Lois A. Brink and the Learning Landscapes continues to evolve. Publications and presentations are numerous and focus on physical activity, health, community-based design builds, youth, benefits of gardening, service-learning, learning landscapes, and more.
• Abstracts in Review, 10/28/2010

  Yost, B. (2010). Benefits of Gardening for Denver Latino and Latina Youth. CELA Conference, Los Angeles, CA.

   

  Yost, B., Hunt, J., & Brink, L. (2010). Drawing on Children's Ideas of Nature. CELA Conference, Los Angeles, CA.

   

  Hunt, J., Yost, B., Rogers, C., Paxson, L., Goche, P., & Brink, L. (2010). Marking the Site. CELA Conference, Los Angeles, CA.

   

  Yost, B. (2010). A Critical review of Biophilia and Place Attachment Literature. Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities

   

  Yost, B., Rogers, C., Hunt, J., & Bruski, P. (2010). Mapping Places: A Bridge Across Humanities. Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities

   

  Yost, B., Rogers, C., & Hunt, J. (2010). Open to Re-Interpretation. Environmental Design Research Association Conference, Chicago, IL.

   

  Yost, B. , Rogers, C., & Juhasz, J. (2010). Connecting to the Eternal. Environmental Design Research Association Conference, Chicago, IL.

• Recent Presentations, 10/28/2010
  October, 2009              Colorado Bioneers Conference                                                                                                     Boulder, CO Guest PresenterTitle:  Sustainability Ambassadors Program - CU Collaboration with Casey Middle SchoolHighlighting partnership between University of Colorado students and Casey Middle School students and their efforts to create the Sustainability Ambassadors Program and Curriculum. October, 2009              Growing Up Boulder                                                                                                                         Boulder, COWorkshop Facilitator & ResearcherTitle:  Nightlife for teens in Boulder: Nothing to do on a Friday night?  Facilitating discussions with middle school and high school students from Boulder about what activities they wish were available to them in the evenings.  This break out session is part of the Children, Youth, and Environments Center of Research and Design’s city-wide initiative, “Growing Up Boulder” conference.  

  
   

  March, 2009                 AmeriCorps Montana Campus Compact Annual Conference                                             Missoula, MT Guest Speaker & Facilitator Title:  Lessons Learned from the University of Colorado at Denver’s AmeriCorps UCAN Serve ProgramFacilitated discussion and presenting lessons learned over five years as the AmeriCorps UCAN Serve Coordinator for the University of Colorado at Denver’s College of Architecture & Planning.  This case study highlighted how UCD’s affiliation with Colorado Campus Compact and partnership with the UCAN Serve AmeriCorps program helped turn a departmental initiative into a campus-wide discussion about service. This session explored successes and challenges with starting, growing and sustaining a service-learning commitment. Opportunities, constraints, funding, and politics were discussed in detail.  Participants had an opportunity to discuss and make plans for engaging new campus partners, shared ideas with peers, and bounced ideas off of me.      http://www.mtcompact.org/campuscorps.htmJanuary, 2009              Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Conference                                   Tucson, AZPaper PresenterTitle:  Identifying Best Management Practices that Promote Physical Activity, Health, and Site Sustainability on Community-Based Design Build SchoolyardsPresented a mixed-methods paper which identifies best management practices based on program successes that promote physical activity, health, and site sustainability on Learning Landscapes, a district-wide public school community-based initiative.  October, 2008              Colorado Bioneers Conference                                                                                                     Boulder, CO Guest SpeakerTitle:  Children and Nature WorkshopPresented techniques to reconnect adults to their childhood memories and led a design charrette emphasizing the importance of children and nature in urban design.  May-June 2008           Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) Conference                               Veracruz, MexicoGuest SpeakerTitle:  The Role of the Natural and Built Environment on Children’s Health and well-Being WorkshopGave a presentation on "Techniques to Trigger Environmental Memories: Making connections to special places, events, and people" as part of an exploratory workshop focused on designing healthy and meaningful environments for children.April, 2008                    Environmental Science Center’s Earth Education Seminar                                                     Boulder, COGuest LecturerTitle:  Linking Place Attachment to Environmentally Responsible Behavior and YouPresented information about learning, memory, and place attachment, and discussed implications for community planning and place-based education. Participants engaged in deep reflection about why they are interested in special places and environmental education and wrote brief environmental autobiographies which they shared with each other.  February, 2008            KOMPAN Symposium                                                                                                             Long Beach, CAGuest Speaker and Panel PresenterTitle:  Denver Public School Learning Landscape Playgrounds

  Presented the intention, process, outcomes and research findings from Learning Landscape community based participatory design-build playgrounds.  Research focused on play environments and physical activity was highlighted.  Fellow guest speakers included: Jim Greenman, Senior Vice President at Bright Horizons;  Hara Estroff Marano, author of “A Nation of Wimps” and Editor-at-Large at Psychology Today; Deborah A. Cohen, Senior Natural Scientist at Rand Corporation; Dr. Carl Gabbard, Director of Motor Development Studies at Texas A & M University; Michael Laris, Design Manager, and Carsten Madsen, Director, at KOMPAN A/S.  Presentation available at http://www.kompan.com/sw68429.asp