Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) is thrilled to announce that its program, Hartley Outdoor Education Center (OEC), has been recognized with the distinguished Pinnacle Award by the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) for the 2022-2023 academic year. Hartley OEC received this award in five previous years, including 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2021.
The CILC, globally renowned for championing distance learning, grants this annual accolade to Content Providers who demonstrate an unparalleled commitment to offering virtual field trip experiences with notable educational value and engaging qualities. The Pinnacle Award serves as a beacon of excellence in virtual education, spotlighting institutions that stand out for their academic standards and ability to inspire learners from diverse backgrounds and locations.
"Our Hartley Naturalists have consistently demonstrated their unwavering pursuit to provide innovative, interactive, and meaningful virtual education learning opportunities," said Dr. Jeffrey Collier, Superintendent of Saginaw ISD. "This recognition affirms our commitment to reducing barriers to access, bridging geographical divides, and providing increased equitable educational experiences directly to students."
Tami Moehring, Director of Member Relations at CILC, described the announcement of the coveted Pinnacle Award as "a time when the connections between Content Providers and Members are highlighted at their finest. Members get to see their feedback turned into recognition for the hard work, dedication, and unique talent for delivering amazing virtual field trips that inspire learning in groups of students from around the world."
As traditional learning adapts to technological advancements, Hartley OEC has introduced many virtual courses. Among these, "French Voyager" is one of our most popular immersive field trips that provides students with an experience to step into the shoes of French voyageur Jean-Paul LeFranc. They accompany him on a journey from Montreal to the Grand Portage in Minnesota and back. Throughout the experience, students actively engage, learning about the roles within the canoe, the voyagers' unique attire, their dietary choices, and the overarching mission of the French voyageurs. Thanks to such innovative courses, Hartley OEC is now recognized alongside prestigious institutions like the Denali Education Center, Buffalo Zoo, National Archives, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and Zion National Park.
"Hartley OEC is humbled and honored to once again receive this prestigious recognition from CILC," said Eric Rutherford, Program Director. Our goal has always been to make our unique classes accessible to as many learners as possible, regardless of their physical location. This acknowledgment fuels our passion and propels us to continually innovate and enhance our virtual learning experiences."
To learn more about Hartley OEC's virtual offerings or our other programs, please click here.
If you would like more information on the CILC Pinnacle Award, you may view their full press release here.