Reflections and Impressions offers integrated learning opportunities that combine elements of digital photography and its subjects with core academic subjects such as science, mathematics, and language arts. R & I explores digital photography as being an activity through which learning in general, about many different subjects may occur, while also promoting the value of creativity and creative expression, through photographic art.

R & I offers instructional programs in basic digital photography concepts and techniques. With better photographic equipment entering the consumer market each year, photography has quickly become something that almost anyone with the desire to learn can become accomplished at. R & I's introductory program covers the basic principles of photography and digital photography, selecting and using DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras and lenses, and basic digital image processing. R & I does not conduct field sessions, but instead will provide you with the knowledge, motivation, and inspiration to learn at your own pace in the field. The program is ideal for families who would like to share a rewarding family activity together.

Curriculum Enrichment

Are you an educator looking for new ways to integrate lessons across your curriculum? Could you and your students benefit from a better understanding of how what we see in the world around us relates to the content that you are teaching? Reflections and Impressions can provide interdisciplinary enrichment activities that use digital photography and photographic subjects to inspire a general interest in the academic subjects of the curriculum that you are teaching. Whether your focus is science, mathematics, language arts, social studies, or instructional technology, R & I can work with you and your school to create exciting and memorable learning experiences that will inspire and foster further learning.

Educational Outreach Programs

Reflections and Impressions offers educational outreach programs for schools, organizations, and groups based upon the many subjects of digital landscape and nature photography, using digital photographic images to inspire and foster interest in those subjects, and to draw connections to various educational learning standards in the sciences, mathematics, and language arts.

R & I's educational outreach programs are aligned with state curriculum frameworks, may be focused to align with specific content and/or learning goals, and provide students with a better understanding and appreciation of the natural world around them. From the phases of the Moon to the water cycle, and from the interdependency of Earth's various ecosystems to the geological history of your hometown, R&I's educational outreach programs will help your students to better appreciate and understand the natural world around them through a participatory and interdisciplinary approach to learning.

R&I's outreach programs may be adapted to meet the goals of specific learning objectives for Grades K-12, while its digital photography instructional programs are suitable for children in Grades 7-12 and consist of multiple sessions over time. Contact Reflections and Impressions for more information about the programs offered, including availability and pricing.

Sample outreach program topics include, but are not limited to:

Weather, Climate, and the Seasons

Local Landscapes and Geologic History

Phases of the Moon, Solar System, and Space

Plant and Animal Habitats

Nature's Recycling Program: Rocks and Soil, Erosion, and Deposition

Reflective Writing: What I Learned Today

The Food Chain: Proportions and Populations

All R&I school outreach programs include:

A brief consultation with classroom teacher(s) prior to the visit to address specific goals and objectives for each program

A presentation of photographs related to a topic/subject that is aligned with state and school learning standards and objectives, either prior to or following the topic/subject being introduced in the classroom. R&I can adjust the presentation according to the specific needs of the school to provide either an informal introduction to the topic/subject or to reinforce concepts that have already been covered in the classroom.

An interdisciplinary learning activity related to the topic/subject that can help students to better understand how the topic/subject relates to other content areas of the curriculum

Suggestions for follow-up learning extensions and resources for further investigation/activities

Emphasis on drawing connections between classroom lessons and the world around them to help students better understand their environment and the significance of what they are learning in the classroom

Suggested classroom time per visit is one (1) hour; multiple visits may be scheduled if needed

Contact Reflections and Impressions for more details about the learning opportunities that are available!