This is one of a series of guides for collaborative environmental research and advocacy projects....
Public Lab is an open community which collaboratively develops accessible, open source, Do-It-Yourself technologies for investigating local environmental health and justice issues.
8 CURRENT | warren |
April 06, 2017 18:36
| over 7 years ago
This is one of a series of guides for collaborative environmental research and advocacy projects. "Start Here" is about creating a picture of our place together. This guide covers how to do this with a group using paper and markers. For a followup activity, check out the next guide to putting this info online using mapknitter. This page has been adapted into an activity; check it out.
Planning this eventAhead of time:
Materials to have on hand:
Activity 1: Hello and Introductions!Go around the room with everyone saying their name and their answer to the following question: * When i hear the word [place/area/landscape we identify with], i think of '_____.' Activity 2: Group photoEveryone stand up! Capture a picture of the group. Activity 3: Making our mapThis is sometimes called a "mental mapping" exercise because you will draw important bits of your neighborhood without worrying about actual geographic space. The goal is to set our local knowledge as the context for our future work together. (For reference, see https://mapknitter.org/map/view/2014-02-12-chicago-calumet-river-industrial-corridor) Note: this activity is organized so that during different moments in this activity people may be doing individual work, then coming together in small groups, and then discussing as an entire group. This style is sometimes referred to as "One, Some, Many." As facilitator, you may want to respectfully capture some photos of people during the activities. ONE: each person receives one large piece of paper and a marker to for sketching their own map of the neighborhood. You might prompt the group by mentioning some of the following:
If people are having trouble getting started and ask for guidance, you might suggest that they start drawing a dot, rectangle or line for the first place or road that comes to mind without worrying that their paper "looks like a map". Then they can add in other landmarks without worrying about connecting it all together. Writing words or labels can be good to get some folks going. You might also prompt the group with questions like: what's worth putting on the map? Are there any sites that we have concerns about, and if so how does that relate to our neighborhood? What's going on here that we are proud of? What are things we would like to improve? SOME: small groups get together and share their maps. Note what was in common, and what was unique. MANY: As facilitator, you will tape 6 big sheets together to make one giant sheet and either hang it on the wall or lay it in the center of the group's circle. Then, look at all the maps together and ask people to say what their maps were centered around. Make a quick assessment of what an "average" idea of what the group considers to be the center (it could be a road, or a park, or anything), and draw that shape in the center of the giant sheet to begin the group's map. Then ask people to come up a few at a time and fill in the things they had on their maps. Review and wrap up
Take another picture of people standing around the giant map; if it's not already on the wall, have them hold it up. Take straight-on pictures to document everyone's individual maps. Later, either set up a time with the other people who wanted to help do the write-up, or else when you have time in front of your computer, post a research note with the photos, and tag it with your place's name, your project name if it exists yet, and also "mental-mapping". Looking ahead to next steps: We can build on what we've created here and use mapknitter to share our story out more broadly. |
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7 | warren |
March 15, 2017 21:12
| almost 8 years ago
This is one of a series of guides for collaborative environmental research and advocacy projects. "Start Here" is about creating a picture of our place together. This guide covers how to do this with a group using paper and markers. For a followup activity, check out the next guide to putting this info online using mapknitter. Planning this eventAhead of time:
Materials to have on hand:
Activity 1: Hello and Introductions!Go around the room with everyone saying their name and their answer to the following question: * When i hear the word [place/area/landscape we identify with], i think of '_____.' Activity 2: Group photoEveryone stand up! Capture a picture of the group. Activity 3: Making our mapThis is sometimes called a "mental mapping" exercise because you will draw important bits of your neighborhood without worrying about actual geographic space. The goal is to set our local knowledge as the context for our future work together. (For reference, see https://mapknitter.org/map/view/2014-02-12-chicago-calumet-river-industrial-corridor) Note: this activity is organized so that during different moments in this activity people may be doing individual work, then coming together in small groups, and then discussing as an entire group. This style is sometimes referred to as "One, Some, Many." As facilitator, you may want to respectfully capture some photos of people during the activities. ONE: each person receives one large piece of paper and a marker to for sketching their own map of the neighborhood. You might prompt the group by mentioning some of the following:
If people are having trouble getting started and ask for guidance, you might suggest that they start drawing a dot, rectangle or line for the first place or road that comes to mind without worrying that their paper "looks like a map". Then they can add in other landmarks without worrying about connecting it all together. Writing words or labels can be good to get some folks going. You might also prompt the group with questions like: what's worth putting on the map? Are there any sites that we have concerns about, and if so how does that relate to our neighborhood? What's going on here that we are proud of? What are things we would like to improve? SOME: small groups get together and share their maps. Note what was in common, and what was unique. MANY: As facilitator, you will tape 6 big sheets together to make one giant sheet and either hang it on the wall or lay it in the center of the group's circle. Then, look at all the maps together and ask people to say what their maps were centered around. Make a quick assessment of what an "average" idea of what the group considers to be the center (it could be a road, or a park, or anything), and draw that shape in the center of the giant sheet to begin the group's map. Then ask people to come up a few at a time and fill in the things they had on their maps. Review and wrap up
Take another picture of people standing around the giant map; if it's not already on the wall, have them hold it up. Take straight-on pictures to document everyone's individual maps. Later, either set up a time with the other people who wanted to help do the write-up, or else when you have time in front of your computer, post a research note with the photos, and tag it with your place's name, your project name if it exists yet, and also "mental-mapping". Looking ahead to next steps: We can build on what we've created here and use mapknitter to share our story out more broadly. |
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6 | liz |
April 06, 2015 14:33
| over 9 years ago
This is one of a series of guides for collaborative environmental research and advocacy projects. "Start Here" is about creating a picture of our place together. This guide covers how to do this with a group using paper and markers. For a followup activity, check out the next guide to putting this info online using mapknitter. Planning this eventAhead of time:
Materials to have on hand:
Activity 1: Hello and Introductions!Go around the room with everyone saying their name and their answer to the following question: * When i hear the word [place/area/landscape we identify with], i think of '_____.' Activity 2: Group photoEveryone stand up! Capture a picture of the group. Activity 3: Making our mapThis is sometimes called a "mental mapping" exercise because you will draw important bits of your neighborhood without worrying about actual geographic space. The goal is to set our local knowledge as the context for our future work together. (For reference, see https://mapknitter.org/map/view/2014-02-12-chicago-calumet-river-industrial-corridor) Note: this activity is organized so that during different moments in this activity people may be doing individual work, then coming together in small groups, and then discussing as an entire group. This style is sometimes referred to as "One, Some, Many." As facilitator, you may want to respectfully capture some photos of people during the activities. ONE: each person receives one large piece of paper and a marker to for sketching their own map of the neighborhood. You might prompt the group by mentioning some of the following:
If people are having trouble getting started and ask for guidance, you might suggest that they start drawing a dot, rectangle or line for the first place or road that comes to mind without worrying that their paper "looks like a map". Then they can add in other landmarks without worrying about connecting it all together. Writing words or labels can be good to get some folks going. You might also prompt the group with questions like: what's worth putting on the map? Are there any sites that we have concerns about, and if so how does that relate to our neighborhood? What's going on here that we are proud of? What are things we would like to improve? SOME: small groups get together and share their maps. Note what was in common, and what was unique. MANY: As facilitator, you will tape 6 big sheets together to make one giant sheet and either hang it on the wall or lay it in the center of the group's circle. Then, look at all the maps together and ask people to say what their maps were centered around. Make a quick assessment of what an "average" idea of what the group considers to be the center (it could be a road, or a park, or anything), and draw that shape in the center of the giant sheet to begin the group's map. Then ask people to come up a few at a time and fill in the things they had on their maps. Review and wrap up
Take another picture of people standing around the giant map; if it's not already on the wall, have them hold it up. Take straight-on pictures to document everyone's individual maps. Later, either set up a time with the other people who wanted to help do the write-up, or else when you have time in front of your computer, post a research note with the photos, and tag it with your place's name, your project name if it exists yet, and also "mental-mapping". Looking ahead to next steps: We can build on what we've created here and use mapknitter to share our story out more broadly. |
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5 | liz |
April 06, 2015 14:31
| over 9 years ago
This is one of a series of guides for collaborative environmental research and advocacy projects. "Start Here" is about creating a picture of our place together. This guide covers how to do this with a group using paper and markers. For a followup activity, check out the next guide to putting this info online using mapknitter. Planning this eventAhead of time:
Materials to have on hand:
Activity 1: Hello and Introductions!Go around the room with everyone saying their name and their answer to the following question: * When i hear the word [place/area/landscape we identify with], i think of '_____.' Activity 2: Group photoEveryone stand up! Capture a picture of the group. Activity 3: Making our mapThis is sometimes called a "mental mapping" exercise because you will draw important bits of your neighborhood without worrying about actual geographic space. The goal is to set our local knowledge as the context for our future work together. (For reference, see https://mapknitter.org/map/view/2014-02-12-chicago-calumet-river-industrial-corridor) Note: this activity is organized so that during different moments in this activity people may be doing individual work, then coming together in small groups, and then discussing as an entire group. This style is sometimes referred to as "One, Some, Many." As facilitator, you may want to respectfully capture some photos of people during the activities. ONE: each person receives one large piece of paper and a marker to for sketching their own map of the neighborhood. You might prompt the group by mentioning some of the following:
If people are having trouble getting started and ask for guidance, you might suggest that they start drawing a dot, rectangle or line for the first place or road that comes to mind without worrying that their paper "looks like a map". Then they can add in other landmarks without worrying about connecting it all together. Writing words or labels can be good to get some folks going. You might also prompt the group with questions like: what's worth putting on the map? Are there any sites that we have concerns about, and if so how does that relate to our neighborhood? What's going on here that we are proud of? What are things we would like to improve? SOME: small groups get together and share their maps. Note what was in common, and what was unique. MANY: As facilitator, you will tape 6 big sheets together to make one giant sheet and either hang it on the wall or lay it in the center of the group's circle. Then, look at all the maps together and ask people to say what their maps were centered around. Make a quick assessment of what an "average" idea of what the group considers to be the center (it could be a road, or a park, or anything), and draw that shape in the center of the giant sheet to begin the group's map. Then ask people to come up a few at a time and fill in the things they had on their maps. Review and wrap up
Take another picture of people standing around the giant map; if it's not already on the wall, have them hold it up. Take straight-on pictures to document everyone's individual maps. Later, either set up a time with the other people who wanted to help do the write-up, or else when you have time in front of your computer, post a research note with the photos, and tag it with your place's name, your project name if it exists yet, and also "mental-mapping". Looking ahead to next steps: We can build on what we've created here and use mapknitter to share our story out more broadly. |
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4 | liz |
March 31, 2015 21:39
| over 9 years ago
This is one of a series of guides for collaborative environmental research and advocacy projects. "Start Here" is about creating a picture of our place together. This guide covers how to do this with a group using paper and markers. For a followup activity, check out the next guide to putting this info online using mapknitter. Planning this eventAhead of time:
Materials to have on hand:
Activity 1: Hello and Introductions!Go around the room with everyone saying their name and their answer to the following question: * When i hear the word [place/area/landscape we identify with], i think of '_____.' Activity 2: Group photoEveryone stand up! Capture a picture of the group. Activity 3: Making our mapThis is sometimes called a "mental mapping" exercise because you will draw important bits of your neighborhood without worrying about actual geographic space. The goal is to set our local knowledge as the context for our future work together. (For reference, see https://mapknitter.org/map/view/2014-02-12-chicago-calumet-river-industrial-corridor) Note: this activity is organized so that during different moments in this activity people may be doing individual work, then coming together in small groups, and then discussing as an entire group. This style is sometimes referred to as "One, Some, Many." As facilitator, you may want to respectfully capture some photos of people during the activities. ONE: each person receives one large piece of paper and a marker to for sketching their own map of the neighborhood. You might prompt the group by mentioning some of the following:
If people are having trouble getting started and ask for guidance, you might suggest that they start drawing a dot, rectangle or line for the first place or road that comes to mind without worrying that their paper "looks like a map". Then they can add in other landmarks without worrying about connecting it all together. Writing words or labels can be good to get some folks going. You might also prompt the group with questions like: what's worth putting on the map? Are there any sites that we have concerns about, and if so how does that relate to our neighborhood? What's going on here that we are proud of? What are things we would like to improve? SOME: small groups get together and share their maps. Note what was in common, and what was unique. MANY: As facilitator, you will tape 6 big sheets together to make one giant sheet and either hang it on the wall or lay it in the center of the group's circle. Then, look at all the maps together and ask people to say what their maps were centered around. Make a quick assessment of what an "average" idea of what the group considers to be the center (it could be a road, or a park, or anything), and draw that shape in the center of the giant sheet to begin the group's map. Then ask people to come up a few at a time and fill in the things they had on their maps. Review and wrap up
Take another picture of people standing around the giant map; if it's not already on the wall, have them hold it up. Take straight-on pictures to document everyone's individual maps. Later, either set up a time with the other people who wanted to help do the write-up, or else when you have time in front of your computer, post a research note with the photos, and tag it with your place's name, your project name if it exists yet, and also "mental-mapping". Looking ahead to next steps: We can build on what we've created here and use mapknitter to share our story out more broadly. |
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3 | liz |
March 31, 2015 21:36
| over 9 years ago
This is one of a series of guides for collaborative environmental research and advocacy projects. "Start Here" is about creating a picture of our place together. This guide covers how to do this with a group using paper and markers. For a followup activity, check out the next guide to putting this info online using mapknitter. Planning this eventAhead of time:
Materials to have on hand:
Activity 1: Hello and Introductions!Go around the room with everyone saying their name and their answer to the following question: * When i hear the word [place/area/landscape we identify with], i think of '_____.' Activity 2: Group photoEveryone stand up! Capture a picture of the group. Activity 3: Making our mapThis is sometimes called a "mental mapping" exercise because you will draw important bits of your neighborhood without worrying about actual geographic space. The goal is to set our local knowledge as the context for our future work together. (For reference, see https://mapknitter.org/map/view/2014-02-12-chicago-calumet-river-industrial-corridor) Note: this activity is organized so that during different moments in this activity people may be doing individual work, then coming together in small groups, and then discussing as an entire group. This style is sometimes referred to as "One, Some, Many." As facilitator, you may want to respectfully capture some photos of people during the activities. ONE: each person receives one large piece of paper and a marker to for sketching their own map of the neighborhood. You might prompt the group by mentioning some of the following:
If people are having trouble getting started and ask for guidance, you might suggest that they start drawing a dot, rectangle or line for the first place or road that comes to mind without worrying that their paper "looks like a map". Then they can add in other landmarks without worrying about connecting it all together. Writing words or labels can be good to get some folks going. You might also prompt the group with questions like: what's worth putting on the map? Are there any sites that we have concerns about, and if so how does that relate to our neighborhood? What's going on here that we are proud of? What are things we would like to improve? SOME: small groups get together and share their maps. Note what was in common, and what was unique. MANY: As facilitator, you will tape 6 big sheets together to make one giant sheet and either hang it on the wall or lay it in the center of the group's circle. Then, look at all the maps together and ask people to say what their maps were centered around. Make a quick assessment of what an "average" idea of what the group considers to be the center (it could be a road, or a park, or anything), and draw that shape in the center of the giant sheet to begin the group's map. Then ask people to come up a few at a time and fill in the things they had on their maps. Review and wrap up
Take another picture of people standing around the giant map; if it's not already on the wall, have them hold it up. Take straight-on pictures to document everyone's individual maps. Later, either set up a time with the other people who wanted to help do the write-up, or else when you have time in front of your computer, post a research note with the photos, and tag it with your place's name, your project name if it exists yet, and also "mental-mapping". Looking ahead to next steps: We can build on what we've created here and use mapknitter to share our story out more broadly. |
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2 | liz |
March 31, 2015 21:32
| over 9 years ago
This is one of a series of guides for collaborative environmental research and advocacy projects. "Start Here" is about creating a picture of our place together. This guide covers how to do this with a group using paper and markers. For a followup activity, check out the next guide to putting this info online using mapknitter. Planning this eventAhead of time:
Materials to have on hand:
Activity 1: Hello and Introductions!Go around the room with everyone saying their name and their answer to the following question: * When i hear the word [place/area/landscape we identify with], i think of '_____.' Activity 2: Group photoEveryone stand up! Capture a picture of the group. Activity 3: Making our mapThis is sometimes called a "mental mapping" exercise because you will draw important bits of your neighborhood without worrying about actual geographic space. The goal is to set our local knowledge as the context for our future work together. (For reference, see https://mapknitter.org/map/view/2014-02-12-chicago-calumet-river-industrial-corridor) Note: this activity is organized so that during different moments in this activity people may be doing individual work, then coming together in small groups, and then discussing as an entire group. This style is sometimes referred to as "One, Some, Many." As facilitator, you may want to respectfully capture some photos of people during the activities. ONE: each person receives one large piece of paper and a marker to for sketching their own map of the neighborhood. You might prompt the group by mentioning some of the following:
If people are having trouble getting started and ask for guidance, you might suggest that they start drawing a dot, rectangle or line for the first place or road that comes to mind without worrying that their paper "looks like a map". Then they can add in other landmarks without worrying about connecting it all together. Writing words or labels can be good to get some folks going. You might also prompt the group with questions like: what's worth putting on the map? Are there any sites that we have concerns about, and if so how does that relate to our neighborhood? What's going on here that we are proud of? What are things we would like to improve? SOME: small groups get together and share their maps. Note what was in common, and what was unique. MANY: As facilitator, you will tape 6 big sheets together to make one giant sheet and either hang it on the wall or lay it in the center of the group's circle. Then, look at all the maps together and ask people to say what their maps were centered around. Make a quick assessment of what an "average" idea of what the group considers to be the center (it could be a road, or a park, or anything), and draw that shape in the center of the giant sheet to begin the group's map. Then ask people to come up a few at a time and fill in the things they had on their maps. Review and wrap upAsk people to say what they added to the map. Ask people to say what they liked about what other people added to the map. Ask if there are any controversial things on the map, or if anything got left out. Ask if people enjoyed this activity, ask people if they have anything else to share including ideas about how this could be better next time. Thank everyone for their time and ask if anyone wants to be involved in writing up how the day went on publiclab.org. Take another picture of people standing around the giant map; if it's not already on the wall, have them hold it up. Take straight-on pictures to document everyone's individual maps. Later, either set up a time with the other people who wanted to help do the write-up, or else when you have time in front of your computer, post a research note with the photos, and tag it with your place's name, your project name if it exists yet, and also "mental-mapping". Looking ahead to next steps: We can build on what we've created here and use mapknitter to share our story out more broadly. [TO DO: add link to next guide] |
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1 | liz |
December 18, 2014 17:31
| about 10 years ago
This is one of a series of guides for collaborative environmental research and advocacy projects. "Start Here" is about creating a picture of our place together. This guide covers how to do this with a group using paper and markers. For a followup activity, check out the guide to putting this info online using mapknitter. Planning this eventAhead of time:
Materials to have on hand:
Activity 1: Hello and Introductions!Go around the room with everyone saying their name and their answer to the following question: * When i hear the word [place/area/landscape we identify with], i think of '_____.' Activity 2: Group photoEveryone stand up! Capture a picture of the group. Activity 3: Making our mapThis is sometimes called a "mental mapping" exercise because you will draw important bits of your neighborhood without worrying about actual geographic space. The goal is to set our local knowledge as the context for our future work together. (For reference, see https://mapknitter.org/map/view/2014-02-12-chicago-calumet-river-industrial-corridor) Note: this activity is organized so that during different moments in this activity people may be doing individual work, then coming together in small groups, and then discussing as an entire group. This style is sometimes referred to as "One, Some, Many." As facilitator, you may want to respectfully capture some photos of people during the activities. ONE: each person receives one large piece of paper and a marker to for sketching their own map of the neighborhood. You might prompt the group by mentioning some of the following:
If people are having trouble getting started and ask for guidance, you might suggest that they start drawing a dot, rectangle or line for the first place or road that comes to mind without worrying that their paper "looks like a map". Then they can add in other landmarks without worrying about connecting it all together. Writing words or labels can be good to get some folks going. You might also prompt the group with questions like: what's worth putting on the map? Are there any sites that we have concerns about, and if so how does that relate to our neighborhood? What's going on here that we are proud of? What are things we would like to improve? SOME: small groups get together and share their maps. Note what was in common, and what was unique. MANY: As facilitator, you will tape 6 big sheets together to make one giant sheet and either hang it on the wall or lay it in the center of the group's circle. Then, look at all the maps together and ask people to say what their maps were centered around. Make a quick assessment of what an "average" idea of what the group considers to be the center (it could be a road, or a park, or anything), and draw that shape in the center of the giant sheet to begin the group's map. Then ask people to come up a few at a time and fill in the things they had on their maps. Review and wrap upAsk people to say what they added to the map. Ask people to say what they liked about what other people added to the map. Ask if there are any controversial things on the map, or if anything got left out. Ask if people enjoyed this activity, ask people if they have anything else to share including ideas about how this could be better next time. Thank everyone for their time and ask if anyone wants to be involved in writing up how the day went on publiclab.org. Take another picture of people standing around the giant map; if it's not already on the wall, have them hold it up. Take straight-on pictures to document everyone's individual maps. Later, either set up a time with the other people who wanted to help do the write-up, or else when you have time in front of your computer, post a research note with the photos, and tag it with your place's name, your project name if it exists yet, and also "mental-mapping". Looking ahead to next steps: We can build on what we've created here and use mapknitter to share our story out more broadly. [TO DO: add link to next guide] |
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0 | liz |
December 18, 2014 15:50
| about 10 years ago
This is one of a series of guides for collaborative environmental research and advocacy projects. "Start Here" is about creating a picture of our place together. This guide covers how to do this with a group using paper and markers. For a followup activity, check out the guide to putting this info online using mapknitter. Planning this eventAhead of time:
Materials to have on hand:
Activity 1: Hello and Introductions!Go around the room with everyone saying their name and their answer to the following question: * When i hear the word [place/area/landscape we identify with], i think of '_____.' Activity 2: Group photoEveryone stand up! Capture a picture of the group. Activity 3: Making our mapThis is sometimes called a "mental mapping" exercise because you will draw important bits of your neighborhood without worrying about actual geographic space. The goal is to set our local knowledge as the context for our future work together. (For reference, see https://mapknitter.org/map/view/2014-02-12-chicago-calumet-river-industrial-corridor) Note: this activity is organized so that during different moments in this activity people may be doing individual work, then coming together in small groups, and then discussing as an entire group. This style is sometimes referred to as "One, Some, Many." As facilitator, you may want to respectfully capture some photos of people during the activities. ONE: each person receives one large piece of paper and a marker to for sketching their own map of the neighborhood. You might prompt the group by mentioning some of the following:
If people are having trouble getting started and ask for guidance, you might suggest that they start drawing a dot, rectangle or line for the first place or road that comes to mind without worrying that their paper "looks like a map". Then they can add in other landmarks without worrying about connecting it all together. Writing words or labels can be good to get some folks going. You might also prompt the group with questions like: what's worth putting on the map? Are there any sites that we have concerns about, and if so how does that relate to our neighborhood? What's going on here that we are proud of? What are things we would like to improve? SOME: small groups get together and share their maps. Note what was in common, and what was unique. MANY: As facilitator, you will tape 6 big sheets together to make one giant sheet and either hang it on the wall or lay it in the center of the group's circle. Then, look at all the maps together and ask people to say what their maps were centered around. Make a quick assessment of what an "average" idea of what the group considers to be the center (it could be a road, or a park, or anything), and draw that shape in the center of the giant sheet to begin the group's map. Then ask people to come up a few at a time and fill in the things they had on their maps. Review and wrap upAsk people to say what they added to the map. Ask people to say what they liked about what other people added to the map. Ask if there are any controversial things on the map, or if anything got left out. Ask if people enjoyed this activity, ask people if they have anything else to share including ideas about how this could be better next time. Thank everyone for their time and ask if anyone wants to be involved in writing up how the day went on publiclab.org. Take another picture of people standing around the giant map; if it's not already on the wall, have them hold it up. Take straight-on pictures to document everyone's individual maps. Later, either set up a time with the other people who wanted to help do the write-up, or else when you have time in front of your computer, post a research note with the photos, and tag it with your place's name, your project name if it exists yet, and also "mental-mapping". Looking ahead to next steps: We can build on what we've created here and use mapknitter to share our story out more broadly. [TO DO: add link to next guide] |
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