Outside Learning

Eric Nelson’s Wilderness Biology class at Bishop Seabury takes distance learning in a new direction.

photos by Eric Nelson

Many families in Lawrence are tired of the term “distance learning.” For most, distance means hour after hour of a kid sitting at a desk, staring at an iPad or laptop, listening to their teacher talk. Things are a bit different in Eric Nelson’s Wilderness Biology class.

“Now, more than ever, I think kids are drawn toward outdoor activity,” explained Bishop Seabury Academy science teacher Eric Nelson. “Kids have been stuck inside and this class gives them the opportunity to get outside and go.”

Nelson’s class aims to get students out the classroom (or house) and into the wilderness. This semester, kids have spent early morning fishing the Kansas River, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking, fly-fishing, practicing archery, and planning a hiking trip to the Flint Hills.

“Traditionally this is a junior- and senior-level class,” Nelson said. “But this year the interest was so high that we’ve limited it to seniors and the class is full and the kids all seem to be enjoying the class.”

While students do study aspects of biology with a textbook, Nelson said learning is best done with a hands-on approach, whether that’s with your fingers in a catfish’s mouth or caring for the Cornish chickens the class is raising.

“A lot of these students aren’t ‘outdoorsy’ by nature,” Nelson said. “While others are, I’m certain, destined to become backcountry guides. Regardless of their experience, I think all the kids gain some more confidence and maybe learn a new skill or two.”

Many of the kids have already taken lessons learned in the class and implemented them by planning their own overnight canoe trip.

“We have a lot of things planned for the rest of the semester, too,” Nelson said. “We may dress a deer, explore some of the wildlife areas at Clinton Lake, and hopefully use our backpacking lessons on a mutli-day hiking trip through the Flint Hills.” LK

Persistent Performers

Play12, an ambitious acting company composed of Lawrence students, is persevering through the pandemic to produce, direct, and perform... because the show must go on.

photos by Amber Yoshida

“Don’t let calamity interrupt the proceedings; we mustn’t stop what we are doing, even if something unfortunate has happened.” - “The Dictionary of Cliches” by James Rogers

The show must go on.

While a global pandemic has devastated normalcy for most Lawrence students, a group of dedicated artists are forging ahead (socially distanced and masked, of course) and using their passion for performance to create original artwork.

Play12 is the Lawrence Arts Center’s youth premiere performance company. The company consists of 8-12th graders who produce, create, and perform shows and events in various locations throughout Lawrence. Play12 creates and produces shows that highlight viewpoints and ideas important to the community and the company. The 2020/21 company has 12 members.

“These kids are astonishing,” says Elizabeth Sullivan, Director of Performing Arts for Lawrence Arts Center. “Each year the Play12 company surprises me, but what this group is trying to accomplish in these times is inspiring.”

The idea of Play12 is a challenge during normal times. Tasking a group of teenagers with the responsibility to write, direct, and produce visual arts is risky. During a pandemic, when much of the work is done via Zoom, the challenge is even greater. Sullivan says the group has embraced the uncertainly of the times.

“This year’s group is doing some significant work,” she says. “When they started, they were completely online, which made the ‘getting-to-know-you’ period a little awkward but they have forged on and are finding their individual roles. It’s a pleasure to watch them grow.”

Sullivan’s job as the advisor is to offer guidance, steer the group in the right direction, and stay out of the way. The work, including defining leadership roles and company goals, is the up to the group.

“I like the challenge of the responsibilities,” says Amelia Osborn, a Free State senior. “In school productions or summer theater, most of us have a role and our responsibility is to learn that part and then perform. With Play12, that’s just a part of the experience. We’re writing and directing and blocking and staging performances. We have to handle the marketing and sell tickets.”

The group has been meeting outdoors at the Douglas County Fairgrounds and is polishing their first performance, which will be November 15 at the fair grounds. Play12 will present “Coats,” 30 original plays in 60 minutes. Spectators will watch the fast-moving sketch-style variety show drive-in style, socially distanced, and sitting next to their cars.

For Free State junior Mary Kate Shultz, the challenge of working new aspects of the theatre world is inspiring.

“I never tried writing before joining Play12,” Shultz says. “I’ve never really had the opportunity to write something that would ever be performed, so this is a big learning experience for me. I think by working on all the aspects of a production, instead of just learning our own lines, is helping everyone develop a greater appreciation for the dynamics of a production.”

The company has no requirements for themes or topics to cover in any production, which offers the students an opportunity to explore emotions and actions that most interest them.

“This group is doing some interesting work with social justice issues,” Sullivan says. “Play12 gives these students an opportunity to really be themselves and explore and express emotions that might not find the surface in other situations. They are putting those thoughts into their art, which is inspiring to witness.”

Osborn said it would be difficult to create art during the current political environment and not include topics of social equality.

“We are creative equals in Play12 and a lot of discussion has centered around social issues,” Osborn said. “I think it’s natural for that to be put into any original production we work on. We don’t have any boundaries on what we can create, so we’re working on a lot of topics.”

Shultz echoed Osborn’s thoughts.

“We have an empty slate to create original work,” she says. “We’ve spent a lot of time talking about what we want to do and how to best produce a performance dealing with a lot of topics. It’s a challenge, for sure, but I think that’s a big part of what makes this so fun.”

While the end goal of the company is to perform, Sullivan sees the students achieving much more than an ovation.

“All Play12 groups are significant, but because of the unique challenges this group faces, it’s been fascinating to watch them navigate through all the roadblocks in front of them,” she says. “I’m excited to see what they can accomplish. They really are a special bunch.” LK