MEEA Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning (2021-2022) Long Report

Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning Maine Environmental Education Association 2021-2022

Over the course of the 2021-2022 school year, MEEA received $160K from donors to distribute to public schools statewide to advance outdoor learning efforts. We received over 150 applications from teachers and were able to distribute funding to a majority of them. The grant program allowed teachers to apply for up to $1,500 to fund their outdoor learning projects, from projects like building picnic benches for classrooms, creating mud kitchens for young kids, outdoor learning curriculum development, and purchasing foul-weather gear.

In this report, we share snapshots of the over 120 mini-grant funded projects across schools in Maine.

Contents This report is organized by the category of grantee’s project.

If a project fits under multiple categories, the primary category was selected.

Art Outdoors...............................................................page 3 Birding.........................................................................page 5 Curriculum & Professional Development.................page 6 Foul-Weather Gear....................................................page 8 Garden & Greenhouse.............................................page 20 Outdoor Classroom Solutions.................................page 28 Outdoor Recreation.................................................page 44 Science Exploration.................................................page 50

All photos may be used in media, please contact grants@meeassociation.org for more information.

Art Outdoors

China Middle School

Students at China Middle School were able to paint blacktop areas around the school building using painting supplies purchased with the grant money.

Students did research to design and paint the different areas, includijng a sensory walk, which can be used to support children with sensory processing issues or to help children to develop motor skills, balance, hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness. These colorful areas will allow students to follow the path and complete the movements. They work off excess energy and develop their gross motor skills. The various movements on a path are often designed to engage different parts of the body and brain.

Teacher Jamie Dugan shared, “Students in the elective group got to stay after school to do some of their painting.

The teamwork and collaboration among the students was amazing! It was exciting to see the younger students’ faces and the faculty’s faces when they found the painting completed. The sensory walk and overall designs are beautiful. Students should be very proud of their accomplishment.”

Lyseth Elementary School At Lyseth Elementary School the grant funds were used to purchase a scroll saw so that the finials could be designed by the students and cut out before being given back to the students for painting. Funds also paid for an official peace post so that the grounds can be registered on the official Peace Post registry with a dedication to be given on September 21, 2022, the International Day of Peace. The remaining funds were used to purchase hanging banners, and printmaking materials so that students can create invitations and banners that will hang in the atrium of the school to help tie the community Peaceful Pathway together Teacher Ellen Handelman shares, “In November, I invited families to gather for a forest walk. I couldn’t have imagined that more than 100 people would have gathered to experience the outdoors together with an eye towards developing community during the pandemic.

Many students would meet me at the door before school started to paint words, tape out the words in their language, and paint or draw symbols of love, hope, and peace. I will say that this project forced me to piece together many parts of our Portland community that I would not have usually met.”

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Art Outdoors

Mount Desert Elementary At Mount Desert Elementary School, funds were used to create an outdoor maker space. K-6 students practiced their woodworking skills on a variety of projects. Teacher Shannon Westphal shared, “Kindergarten students built boats, first grade got to practice their hammering skills in the creation of hedgehogs, second and third graders got to build wooden robots, fourth graders created cars that actually ran, and the star project really was what the fifth and sixth graders created: they designed, cut and build their own animals. The use of these grant funds came at the perfect time as our school headed back to masking. I already had some makeshift furniture to use so we were all set up there. This experience gave me the opportunity to reflect on what a functional set up would be if our school were to create an outdoor classroom space for teachers to use, which I plan on advocating for in next year’s budget.”

In addition, “This grant gave students the opportunity to work outside and learn some new wood working skills.

Students had time to finish a guided lesson and then had time to work on their own with the same techniques and materials. This space and these materials have been a breath of fresh air.”

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Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Birding

East End Community School

The grant was used to purchase enough ponchos for two full classes, as well as compasses, binoculars and field guides for the QR coded interactive school trailat East End Community School. There was also added to the Littles Garden, bird feeders and seed to attract various birds to the area.

The focus of the project was to help students who are new to the school gain a “sense of place” and belonging.

Teacher Nicole Grace shared, “I have to say though my favorite lesson that tied both of those objectives together was a unit around the interconnectivity of all of life, that not only illustrated their genetic similarity between themselves and the classmate next to them, but also to the flora and fauna around the school yard, in the garden, and down along the wrack-line of the Casco Bay. This is a lesson I’ll do again and again. It was both meaningful and memorable, and the kids all know, and expound on, how we are all cousins- worms, birds, and bananas included!”

Harrington Elementary With these funds, Harrington Elementary First Grade collaborated with Maine Outdoor School for a three-part series to learn and improve the school’s nature trail to attract more birds.Students learned about what birds eat, where they live, and how to observe them.

Teacher Ashley Cirone shares, “Maine Outdoor School has been collaborating with Harrington Elementary School for years. Outdoor Experiences with Hazel have become an annual tradition for all classrooms and it is always something the students look forward to.” Hazel Stark, Maine Outdoor School Founder and teacher reports “something that always stands out when working with Harrington students who I see for only 1-2 short sessions per year is that they remember every detail from every visit for many years past. The current 6th graders still share outdoor learning memories from 4-5 years ago!”

The lessons from this three part series all built upon each other and took place during three different seasons.

Hazel added, “for your particular students, the ability to spread out our experiences throughout the school year and build upon previous lessons means that the joy and learning they experienced during outdoor school this year will have even more sticking power--from how to prepare for tough weather outside to increase empathy and understanding for our bird neighbors.”

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Curriculum & Professional Development

Maine Academy of Natural Sciences With the support from MEEA funds, two students from Maine Academy of Natural Sciences were able to attend a two day chainsaw training; as well as a blacksmithing course.

Students shared about the blacksmithing course, “The activities and presentations there are an outstanding foundation to any future blacksmiths career or hobby, and I would greatly recommend it for anyone who wants to learn or just have a good time” and “Since joining I have learned a lot about the trade and the history of it as well. We have learned about the math behind it too.”

And about the chainsaw safety training, “I believe that I am better off having learned the information from that course, despite not seeing myself as a logger in the future.

If it ever happens that I need to use a chainsaw again, I will do so with the proper gear and technique, ensuring that I am being safe and sure of my actions.”

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Oceanside High School

The funds from the MEEA contributed to Oceanside High School’s year-long outdoor learning project. This project allowed for my students to become even more connected with the coastal world that they live in whether it was through the pulling and sorting of scallop spat bags (which both STEM and Liberal Arts students participated in) or it was on Hurricane Island where they spent four very full days fully immersed in the natural environment.

One student noted, “We actually had the opportunity to do things in the field instead of dull lectures in the classroom.” Another said that the dissection of the scallop really helped them better understand the organs and different parts of a scallop and they thought that hands on experience was fun. “Usually at school we learn from looking at the images in textbooks which is very boring.

Getting a hands-on experience was fun and easier to absorb the lesson.” One found that learning in the natural setting kept them very interested and more engaged. One of my favorite reflections came from a liberal arts student who felt she realized “that learning in general can come in many forms. Everyone learns in different ways and I thought this experience helped me think outside the box. Compared to school, we used the outdoors as our classroom and had more freedom to actively explore what interests us.”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Curriculum & Professional Development

Portland Public Schools

Mini grant funds allowed ME Audubon to work with all 15 Portland Public Schools pre-k classes this year visiting each one twice, making it 30 programs total. There was a mix of indoor and outdoor programs, and teachers chose from a list of potential seasonal themes (chosen for their alignment with pre-k curriculum) when scheduling their programs. The most popular topics were animals getting ready for winter, animals in the snow, and flowers & pollinators.

The pandemic was the catalyst for increasing the outdoor and experiential learning in the Portland Public School District. School year 2020-2021 was full of the logistics of getting classes outside and starting to encourage teacher capacity building on using the outdoors for teaching (not just teaching outdoors). STEM Coordinator Brooke Teller explains, “While we have a ways to go, as any systemic change takes time, we have the support of our School Board and Administration. We have a vision for moving forward and we have the excitement and engagement of our students to cheer us on in the work. Thank you for this grant and the part it has played!”

In Portland Public Schools, Outdoor and Experiential Learning Coordinator Katie West used the grant to increase her knowledge of the intersection of equity, the outdoors, and environmental justice. To this end, books were purchased, admission into a Children and Nature conference, and the beginning of an Outdoor and Experiential Learning vision was crafted.

One teacher shared the impact of class in the garden, “Many students who face barriers to academic learning and are questioning if the school really belongs to them, become leaders during garden classes. As the entire class was screaming about the yellow jackets, one student “Julio” (not his real name) was staring at the ground. Julio was struggling with reading and writing. Soon, the class gathered around. Why were the yellow jackets biting this brown smudge? Julio taught them how to see both the smudge and the mandibles. Julio then noticed that the brown smudge had one tiny claw. The class didn’t believe him, until they all got down to look. Julio pronounced, “That’s a dead mouse.” How could this be? Why were they eating a dead mouse?”

Julio grew two sizes that day, and his classmates began to turn to him during garden classes with questions. He had a new identity in the class as an observant learner, and the whole class had a real question to answer.”

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Foul-Weather Gear

Bowdoinham Community School

Bowdoinham Community School used their funds for rain gear, outdoor wagons, birdfeeders, magnifying glasses, and museum boxes for students to share nature items that they have collected. One of the important routines of the kindergarten forest day is Sit Spots. By the spring, the kindergarten students are able to sit quietly and observe nature for 10 minutes on their own. Teacher Lucy Atkins shares, “We build up to this throughout the year with various games and activities. This kind of quiet is a gift to students and teachers amidst our busy day. Quiet in the forest is different than quiet in the classroom. There is always something to notice, allowing students to focus, observe closely, and most importantly, to relax. It is a grounding breath that is at the heart of helping students connect more closely with nature and settle within themselves, to be ready for all that they are expected to do at school and in their lives.”

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Camden Rockport Elementary School Camden Rockport Elementary School used MEEA grant funding for rain and snow gear. Pre-K students spend nearly every day outside and as a result they have learned a lot about the plants and animals around the school.

They know the call of the Black-capped chickadee, the trill of the red-winged blackbird, the incessant tapping of the Pileated woodpecker, and they identified a pair of bluebirds on the edge of the woods this year! They have identified the tracks of deer, squirrels and rabbits and can tell the different eating and food storage habits of the red and gray squirrels. These four year olds are incredibly motivated to overturn rocks, skip down a woodland path, and discover every little tiny creepy crawly thing along the way.

Teacher Heather Bowen shares, “Our rain bibs say it all! These bright yellow rain bibs that were purchased with our grant became our class uniform of sorts and we wore them rain or shine so that all kinds of play would be possible. With these rain bibs, we sat on wet stumps or the soggy ground without a pause. We played in the mud and waded in our stream, made mud soup, exploding paint, and joyfully dug in our wet sandbox and dirt filled garden beds without a single worry about getting messy or ruining our clothes.”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Foul-Weather Gear

Canaan Elementary School

China Primary School Kristen Bullard at China Primary School used her funds to purchase “explorer bags”, binoculars, magnifying glasses and field books to create meaningful outdoor learning experiences for her kindergarten students.. Rain boots were another important tool funded through the grant. She says “Words cannot even begin to describe my gratitude for being a MEEA grant recipient. This grant had a huge impact on my classroom full of young learners.

The learning tools that I received have allowed me to get my students outside regardless of the season and weather conditions. This year we have taken countless adventures into the woods around our school. Having rain boots available for my students has allowed my kindergartners to enjoy the colder and mudder months. I am looking forward to continuing to use these outdoor learning tools throughout the school year and many years to come.”

She reported, “One of my favorite memories from this year has been exploring the snowy, winter woods with my kindergarten students. This winter the children got to use binoculars and magnifying glasses to increase their observation skills thanks to the Maine Environmental Education Association. The children beamed with excitement each time they found a track in the snow. We used our pocket field book to help us identify the tracks that we found on our hike.”

Canaan School purchased rainsuits, boots, and water play/study materials with grant funds. These materials were a real game changer for their outdoor learning curriculum. Children were actually wishing for a rainy day! Students were able to study worms, measure rainfall, test out different ways to make the biggest splash, and observe nature in the rain. Teacher Jessica Bernier shares the impact of this new gear on students and the school, “The school community loved seeing our kiddos experience the joy of splashing in muddy puddles! Other classrooms are considering purchasing these materials for their students as well.”

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Foul-Weather Gear

East Grand School

The East Grand School used MEEA grant funds to purchase backpacks, guide shirts, sleeping pads and Nalgene bottles and patches. High school students who participate in the Outdoor Education Class earn patches that can be traded in for this equipment. Students are fortunate to have opportunities for outdoor learning, starting as young as three years old at East Grand School.

The focus in pre-k to 3rd grade is to just allow kids to enjoy the fun of biking, skiing, rock climbing, hiking, fire building, cooking and, of course, just playing in the outdoors! As they reach the 4th-8th grade, students have the opportunity to work on skills in knot tying, shelter building, canoeing, kayaking, outdoor cooking, and basic map and compass.

East Grand has an Outdoor Education high school level class that offers not only high school credit, but also college credit and includes multiple outdoor adventures.

All of these opportunities allow students to earn patches, but more importantly, to develop a love and a confidence in the outdoors.

Teacher Tammi Matula says, “Because all students at East Grand School, Pk-12, are under one roof and have experience in the outdoors, many find multiple opportunities to pass along their outdoor skills to community members, teachers, peers, and younger students throughout the year and summer. This, I believe, is what makes students feel a valued part of our community.”

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Eddington Elementary School Eddington Elementary used the grant funds to improve their garden, as well as natural play equipment and supplies for their outdoor classroom.

Students have also enjoyed learning about tapping trees and making maple syrup, walking on the nature trails and looking for evidence of deer and birds. For many students and teachers these experiences havae been new and exciting.

Teacher Kelly Davis shares, “Once in awhile we will put up a story walk as well for the community to go enjoy as a family. The community has really come together this year with outdoor learning and it has been amazing to see the fun they have learning with what we have received so far with the grant money. They will be even more surprised when they come back to see the climber and wing measuring board we are making this summer.

Thank you so much for this grant and making our outdoor experience wonderful!”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Foul-Weather Gear

Fiddlehead School of Arts and Sciences

Garret Schenck School

Fiddlehead School embraces the outdoors with a trip to one of our three off site locations in the community Through the grant from MEEA they were able to purchase rain suits, rain pants, and rain jackets. They also purchased 7 pairs of rain boots.

Teachers from the school shared the following reflections: “Students’ relationship to their work is as individual as the kids themselves. An outdoor space makes room for that individuality in ways a classroom cannot.

Not because teachers can’t teach well in classrooms, but because teachers in an outdoor space are aided by all the massive and utterly absorbing aspects of our world.” And, “Kids learn enormous things about themselves and about the world with no intervention at all when they’re outside.

With even a little bit of training and focus that learning is not only guided down relevant channels, it is multiplied and intensified. With truly excellent professional development and preparation, outdoor spaces lift class to a level unattainable anywhere else.”

The funds were used to purchase rain/all weather suits, boots and mittens for students in the Anson and Solon preschools. This gear allows the preschoolers to explore and learn in all types of weather. Teacher Jean Butler explained, “When children are able to explore in the outdoors despite the weather they increase gross motor skills, science knowledge and are happier and healthier.

The rain suits make it possible for children to participate in outdoor play, scavenger hunts and nature walks. The suits also help the program align with Maine Chapter 124 Preschool program requirements.”

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Foul-Weather Gear

George Stevens Academy At George Stevens Academy, funds were used to purchase field gear for outdoor education that could serve several high school classes including heavy weight canvas jackets that could be used in the cooler months and several sets of rain jackets and rain pants. Oftentimes students only show up to school in a heavy sweatshirt and no jacket so they cannot comfortably access outdoor education during the winter. The “work jackets” are warm enough for someone to use as an outer winter layer, and since they are canvas they can also be used if it is a bit wet outside. Teacher Megan Flennikan shares, “I was really surprised by how much the students gravitated towards using the gear more often. I think it is because the gear is new and since we have many different options, students can find something that they feel comfortable in. Before our gear was a mismatch, and now it’s like students are doing a sport, where they all look similar in matching gear. This past year, students thanked me for taking them out into the field. One student remarked that it was “fun to participate in learning that was not stressful.”

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Gerald E. Talbot Elementary School

The Talbot Elementary School used the grant to buy enough rain boots, rain pants and rain coats to ensure that every child in the two PreK classes could learn and play comfortably in the rain. They also bought a pair of mittens for every child to use, and some snow pants and winter boots. Being able to provide the appropriate gear to keep the youngest learners comfortable in all weather has such a big impact.

At first many students were shocked at the idea of choosing to play or learn in the rain, but over time teachers saw students shrieking with joy as they were “allowed” to splash in puddles and marveling at the way the rain created mini rivers on the hillside and caused the worms to suddenly appear everywhere they looked.

Teacher Julie Soule reports, “The appropriate gear allowed their memories of our outdoor lessons to be the fun of it and the content we were trying to convey, rather than the misery of how cold their hands were or how wet their feet were that day. For instance, when we taught about camouflage out in the snow with some white and some colorful toy animals, students were able to grasp the value of camouflage first hand and enjoy the activity because they were warm and comfortable.”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Foul-Weather Gear

James Otis Kaler Elementary School

Limestone Community School Limestone Community School bought jackets that have been used weekly since they were purchased.

The students were surveyed to determine the gear they needed to help them stay comfortable and warm during outdoor learning in winter, and principal Hogan Marquis reports, “The jackets have been wonderful. High visibility is a bonus too.Please watch the video here. Pay attention to the bright orange used throughout the video. If we could do the same project next year, I’d love to get more jackets for grades 3-4. Listen to the kids talk about the year. I’m so proud of what we’ve all done. Best wishes!”

The MEEA Grant funds were used to provide students with insulated, waterproof mittens at James Otis Kaler Elementary. The school also used the grant to purchase 16 pairs of snowshoes to adventure and explore in the snow and hopefully take adventures in local parks in years to come! The remainder of the funds were used to make a storybook walk for students to read and learn while outdoors!

Teacher Kendra Vyr shares, “Once we had everyone all bundled up, it was time to explore! These snowshoes were such a fun way to get out and explore our grounds and try out a new way to move, so good for our motor skills too!

The friends practiced putting snowshoes on in our class then we were on our way. They helped one another learn to use the snowshoes and practiced walking and then running in them!

We not only spent time moving in our snowshoes, but were able to walk along our story path reading and learning along the way! These experiences have helped to build a deeper connection and love of the outdoors for our friends that we hope will continue to grow as they do!”

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Foul-Weather Gear

Madison Elementary School

At Madison Elementary School the grant award funded the purchase of materials to allow for extended use of the outdoor classroom area and woods trail. Winter boots and warm socks were purchased for winter use and mud boots and tall white socks for spring/fall use.

Woods Wednesday is a program for kindergarteners at Madison Elementary school. Each Wednesday is focused on bringing learning outdoors: listening walks, reading books under the shade of a tree or doing journal writing at picnic tables. This has been a very positive and successful experience, something that children and staff look forward to. Teacher Jennifer Swain shares,”I have even heard from parents that children have asked to have appointments changed from a Wednesday because they did not want to miss Woods time. I feel the children who have participated in our Woods Wednesday program have learned to love and appreciate nature for all that it has to offer them.”

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Medomak Valley High School Medomak Valley High School’s Alternative Program (MAP) purchased rain coats, rain pants, waterproof boots, and gloves so that students could be well-equipped to gather data at the school arboretum research station; row on Rockland Harbor; run a riverbank and roadside cleanup; and complete many other outdoor experiences for credit. Many students don’t have their own waterproof gear or warm winter clothing and the gear library has been a rousing success. Teacher Kaylie Borden O’Brien shares, “The highlight of our winter was collecting data from our GLOBE (a NASA-sponsored program, Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) research station, at which we took measurements to study the length of the vernal window in New England. We are working with a team of researchers from the University of New Hampshire on this project. Our data will help them assess the impact of climate change on New England’s seasons.We trekked through rain, sleet, cold, and multiple feet of snow in order to take measurements often enough to maintain the legitimacy of our dataset. We will continue building our data in years to come, thanks to our ability to stay warm and dry!”

Whether collecting scientific data in the deep snow, rowing for miles under a peer’s command, or cleaning the river that gives our school its name, MAP students have proven how much youth can accomplish given the right gear.

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Foul-Weather Gear

Meroby Elementary School Meroby Elementary School purchased 3 folding wagons, 3 jet sleds, 4 handheld microscopes and rain ponchos. These supplies will all be used during the Nature Exploration program! Outdoor learning has become one of the most important programs at the school. It started with Kindergarten and spread to every grade and every class the next year. It is also one of the elements of focus that the new school building is being designed around!

Meroby Elementary is located in Mexico, ME, a rural community in the mountains.

Many students are new to outdoor learning, and are excited for the opportunity to try something new like walking in the woods and squishing through the mud.

Teacher Maggie Corlett shares, “Nature-based education has become a centralized focus for our school as we see just how engaged our students are with it. We are working to learn how to incorporate it more and more in all subjects taught. The community is very supportive of our students and it was truly exciting to see even parents engaged with our Nature Exploration!”

The materials funded by the MEEA were used for a variety of outdoor learning activities. These tools included binoculars, compasses, backpacks, outdoor seating mats, microscopes, magnifying glasses, wagons and sleds.

Teacher Kelcie Virgin shares, “Our program started as a short session 30 minutes a week where the kids went out into a small wooded area near our school and played. They were occupied with climbing trees, building with sticks, and playing in a brook. Months later, we noticed that students were very inquisitive about the nature around them. Questions like, “Why do those plants grow near the water?” “There’s missing bark on this tree?” ‘What’s that noise?”. Simple questions, yet they could lead to such powerful learning.

Since then, our 30 minutes has turned into 3 hour sessions where we learn, play and grow. We have incorporated writing, reading, math, social emotional learning, along with science. Our students have shown growth in communication skills, background knowledge, stamina and overall happiness.”

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Foul-Weather Gear

Meroby Elementary School

Meroby Elementary uses their outdoor classroom frequently and teachers noticed that students needed more outdoor clothing to feel comfortable and stay engaged. They purchased winter insulated boots, insulated winter gloves, socks, a wagon, and jet sled for each 1st grade classroom to carry supplies to the outdoor space.

Teacher Karri Hall has seen how student comfort in nature has led to greater engagement with other students and the world around them. She reports, “For several years we have been teaching about science and math in the woods and the experiences for the students have been so rewarding. Math in the woods? How can that happen?

Nature can help us do math? These questions were just a few out of the mouths of 1st graders at the beginning of the year. These questions have evolved into look at these leaves, they make a pattern! Wow! Look at that log, I bet it would take at least 50 pinecones to get from one end to the other. You found 5 worms and I found 2. I need 3 more to catch up to you! My students went from wondering how we could find and do math in nature to doing it naturally and recognizing that they are using their math skills outside of the classroom. Real world, connections have opened a new door of learning for them.”

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Oxford Elementary School At Roberts Farm in RSU 17, the funds helped expand the outdoor gear available to loan to students when they come to visit. Purchasing a class set of rain gear has made outdoor experiences in rainy weather more of a possibility.

In addition, funds were put toward a class set of Crazy Creek chairs to ensure students can sit comfortably outdoors. Roberts Farm has supported powerful outdoor and experiential learning opportunities for Oxford Hills students for a decade. This school year marked another step in the growth of programs by hiring an Experiential STEM educator to organize and facilitate lessons for classes visiting Roberts Farm.

Experiential STEM teacher Sarah Kearsley reports, “Throughout this past year, we had 12 classes regularly visiting Roberts Farm from Oxford Elementary School, Paris Elementary School, and Guy E Rowe Elementary School. We continued hiking and cross country skiing with these classes while developing lessons aligned with the NGSS topics that teachers were covering in class. In reflecting on the school year experiences at Roberts Farm, teachers commented, ‘I love that they are given a chance to learn in a non-traditional setting… Kids don’t realize they’re even learning, or how much they’re learning, because we get to be out of the four walls of a classroom!’”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Foul-Weather Gear

Ridge View Community School

The funds from this grant were used to purchase outdoor winter gear that enable students to be comfortable in cold weather and try snowshoeing, cross country skiing and winter hiking. For many students at Ridge View Elementary this was a new experience that otherwise would not have been financially possible.

Students were able to take part in many different activities simply because they had the gear the needed to be safe and warm while they were outdoors.

Teacher Jennifer Batron was enthusiastic about the impact this had on her students “The grade I work with (fifth) is an interesting mix of child and preteen.

Getting them out of doors gave me the chance to watch them learning to understand so much more of their environment than would have happened otherwise. I was also able to take my students outside during our science classes to look at how our environment and the species within it change during the winter season. We were able to walk the nature trails on our school’s campus, where we studied the changes in the trees and ponds that we had studied earlier in the fall, as well as learning a bit about how to identify animal tracks and seasonal birds.

These led back to class discussions about how animals survive winter in such a harsh environment. Being able to see it in action deepened their knowledge and created new questions to be answered. This new knowledge has carried over into our springtime studies, and has helped grow new curiosity about our world.”

South Bristol School At South Bristol School, grant funds purchased a new outdoor kitchen, water table and sand box to improve the outdoor classroom and school garden. Bee hives were also purchased to add to the garden, and some funds were used for professional development for staff. This has resulted in a much more functional space and increased use.

Teacher Deb Tibodeau sees the benefits of outdoor learning, “Our kids beg to go outside more of the time.

And I would consider us a school that has a lot of outdoor time. The kids who need it the most are able to learn in that environment, not just from a book, but by the building of raised beds, cleaning up the outdoor area, watering the gardens or tending to the bees.

When I asked my young bee keeper why the bees are important to our school, she said “the bees are fun to be around. They make our garden better. They make honey.”

What else do the bees do for our school? They have taught us a lot about being a part of a community. We have read books about bees, drawn pictures of bees and had visitors that have taught us about bees. Bees have brought our community together in so many ways.”`

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Foul-Weather Gear

Solon Elementary School

Spruce Mountain Primary School

The funds were used to purchase 14 rain/all weather suits, boots and mittens for 14 students in the Solon preschool at Solon Elementary School. In addition to assure the materials last for a while we purchased storage racks for the suits and boots.

These children from the Solon preschool are pictured being able to explore and learn in the rain, because of the new rain suits and boots acquired from the mini grants for outdoor learning.

Spruce Mountain Primary School used their funds to invest in rain suits for kindergarteners, as rainy days often upset plans to take students outside.

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There are many trails surrounding the school and teachers take advantage of these to do math lessons outside. Teacher Tracey Butterfield reported how much students love to learn in nature, “Kindergarten students went outside, wearing our rain suits, to explore shapes in nature to go with our math unit on shapes. The students were encouraged to collect objects that matched the shapes we were learning (square, circle, triangle, rectangle, hexagon) and solid shapes (cube, cylinder, cone, sphere). They also could collect objects that we could make into shapes back in the classroom. My student Colby Walz said, “I like it because the things are real but they are just a shape.” They loved it! Outdoor learning is exciting and hands on which is what my Kinder’s need.

After we shared and made shapes with the items we took the items back out into the woods. We always try to return to nature what we have used.”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Foul-Weather Gear

Upper Kennebec Valley Memorial Jr. Sr. High School

The Upper Kennebec Valley Memorial Jr. Sr. High School used their grant to purchase raingear, winter boots, and winter gloves in an assortment of sizes along with a dozen winter hats, and a dozen small knit gloves.

Teacher Isaac Davis shares “It is with no doubt that in recent generations maintaining a connection with the outdoor world has become less and less. With the realization of such, the Upper Kennebec Valley Junior/ Senior High School decided to take the initiative to start its outdoor education/wilderness studies and agricultural studies programs.”

These new programs opened up a world of possibilities for students and also gained the support of landowners adjacent to the school, who allowed access to their land for students and teachers.

Davis says “Whether it has been map and compass, forestry, maple syrup, wilderness studies, or any of the number of other units offered through this course, the growth in interest in our new programs has flourished.

With each parent I speak to, the feedback is always the same; parents of our community are not only supportive of these programs but proud that their children are a part of them.”

Gardening is another important skill students are learning through the program, and the school hopes to start a farm stand next year.

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Garden & Greenhouse

Bath Middle School Bath Middle School revived a struggling orchard by purchasing a new wheelbarrow to deliver several yards of wood chips to the base of the fruit trees, a garden sprayer to organically treat the trees to increase the yields, educational signage that will be on display in the orchard and lumber for student-built birdhouses that will be placed in the orchard. Students have played a key role in renewing this space and encouraging wider engagement.

Teacher Brent Luchies talked about the impact this project has had: “While a healthier, more vibrant orchard has been good to see, what’s been even better is the number of students and community members spending time in the orchard. Whether hauling wood chips, constructing bird houses, or building simple structures to protect plants and trees, the BMS orchard has been an active place this spring. Students, teachers and community members have come together to make small contributions to the orchard.”

In addition, “At the end of a long day in the classroom, sometimes all one needs is a short time in the orchard with friends; sunshine on our faces, fingers in the dirt, and the feel of a warm spring breeze moving up the hillside. With the work that’s been done and the plans for the future, I’m hopeful the orchard and the people who spend time in it will continue to be restored.”

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Brooksville Elementary School

These funds were used to purchase supplies for the garden classroom at Brooksville Elementary. These tools have added a diversity of accessible activities and created hands on learning opportunities for more students. One great thing that has happened with the acquisition of these materials is the reduction in class time meltdowns due to jealousy from not getting to use a particular tool - now there are plenty to go around! Most of these tools will continue to be used throughout the summer season during the free Garden Camp program.

Teacher Anna Wind shares about the way the students are learning in the garden, “After a math lesson in which we tried to estimate how many peas were in each pod & add up their totals, the pods became snacks and we took a bag of snap pea seeds outside for planting! Mathematical thinking gave way to scientific thinking. They compared their fresh, snacking peas with the dried and shriveled planting ones. One child wanted to set up an experiment to see if the fresh ones would grow, too. Another started building a trellis with found string.

The students worked as a team to do something meaningful – there were no behavior issues, no checking out, and students just extended the lesson and its many points of connection of their own. `Students love learning when your teaching functions to support their natural sense of wonder.”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Garden & Greenhouse

Capt. Albert Stevens School

Central Community Elementary School

At Captain Albert Stevens School in Belfast, grant funds were used to purchase a mobile cart, cooking supplies, and maple syruping tools. Teacher Danee Voss says, “Outdoor learning has had a profound and vast impact on our students. Most recently students have been helping to support our annual community meal. The community meal is an opportunity for students, staff, and their families to come together to share a meal made with local ingredients outdoors. In preparation for the meal students have been cleaning our school spaces, planting seeds, and harvesting spinach. Each grade plays a crucial and specific role in engaging with the garden space to learn more about themselves and their surrounding environment.”

Students also used the garden to explore interconnectedness by planting a Three Sisters Garden and making Three Sisters soup.

Voss reports that in addition to the community meal and summer time activities, “outdoor learning is brought into the classroom space at all times of the year, but especially during syruping season. This past March grades 3-5 helped to tap a tree per class, collect sap, and make maple syrup. The lesson series concluded with grades 3 and 4 making maple syrup sundaes and 5th grade putting their culinary skills to the test by preparing pancakes to taste the homemade maple syrup on!”

Central Community Elementary School students raise and release butterflies each spring and fall, and needed flowers to help these important pollinators. Grant funds were used to purchase 2 wooden raised beds as well as dirt, gardening tools, a watering can and 4 butterfly bushes.

These funds supported efforts to take indoor classroom learning to the next level.

With the help of custodial staff, the raised beds were assembled outside the classroom windows so that students could easily see them as they started seeds indoors.

When the weather was right students planted their seedlings in the new beds- along with colorful perennial plants, learning both how to plant and care for a garden (many had not done it before) and why flowers are so important to pollinators. Watching the progress as the flowers grow and new types of insects visit them is also an important part of the project and extremely engaging to students.

Teacher Ginna Marsh reports, “The learning will continue for years to come as we start planting earlier in the Spring and then are able to transplant their seedlings later in the Spring. The screams of laughter as they got their hands dirty and filled their buckets with water were unforgettable. Thank you for giving us this great outdoor learning opportunity! “

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Garden & Greenhouse

Freeport Middle School

Freeport Middle School used their grant funds to purchase 2 large benches specifically designed to fit the greenhouse being constructed. Beginning in the Fall of 2022, the greenhouse at Freeport Middle School will be used year round as a school garden and outdoor learning classroom.

The three main goals of this project are: - to get students outside and better connected to the Maine environment, - to enhance general nutrition, food and cooking knowledge and to enhance the food provided through the school backpack program, and - to develop and implement on-going lessons connected to school gardening.

Over the past several months, the Freeport Middle School science department has met to discuss and develop the greenhouse curriculum for in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Teachers are eager to get students outside and engaged!

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Gartley Street School The grant from the Maine Environmental Education Association was used to increase the number of raised garden beds at Gartley Street School in Lisbon. Three 8’ x 4’ raised beds and two 4’ x 4’ beds to make 9 in total. The school also purchased 2 greenhouses to start seedlings as well as other gardening supplies and a Maine State Parks pass.

This project has been a school wide one. The Alternative Education kids helped fill the new raised beds and weed the older ones. One elementary school classroom watched the progress as the perennials grew and eventually bloomed. Another elementary school classroom took over the planting process from seeds and seedlings in their classroom to transplanting the plants bought. The high school classroom earned volunteer time for helping work in the garden.

Program Director Barbara Morris shares, “Many of our students are food insecure and their experience with non-processed food is limited for a variety of reasons.

This garden has helped them explore where food comes from and how it is grown. Their teacher, Ms. Dow, has worked with them all year about the process of growing food. The students are excited to see and eat the fresh food. Luckily, we run a summer school program so they will be able to see the “fruits of their labor”. Seeing their enthusiasm has made me so thankful for this grant.”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Garden & Greenhouse

Harrison Elementary School

The funds from the MEEA mini grant were used to purchase 3 raised beds and supplemental supplies. This project allowed science, math, and English to be taught in an authentic way including exploring plants and their adaptations as well as learning about the importance of pollinators. Students practiced math skills by measuring the perimeter of each bed. They used either centimeters or inches and they checked their results against the bed next to them. Students also divided up the beds into fractions and then they had to find the unit fraction.Once the seeds were planted students examined them to look at the different adaptations over time and then taste test for their different tastes.

Teacher Samantha Geer shares how this project has engaged students in a really positive way: “Since we have planted all of the plants we have made many trips up to water them and watch them grow. We have already been able to make many different observations and they can’t wait to try the lettuce that they have grown from seeds! These beds have been a wonderful addition to our classroom and we look forward to growing a variety of plants in the future.”

Holbrook Middle School At Holbrook Middle School, the grant funds went towards improving vegetable and pollinator gardens. The supplies included landscaping fabric, edging material, flagstones, bird bath, materials to make pollinator hotels (including multi-purpose paint for decorating), and annual and perennial plants.

The garden is an important part of hands-on learning, but also a way to bring joy to the entire school community.

Teacher Ashley Allen shared about how much students gained ownership of the space because they were included in nearly every aspect of building the garden. She said, “I went out to see if anyone wanted to help during their recess with the garden. I didn’t think I would have many takers, but as I approached a group of students, they just looked at me and without me even saying a word they said, “do you want us to come to the garden?!” and started jumping for joy.”

Students learned about conservation, environmental responsibility, and sustainability as well as completing service learning such as donating produce to the school cafeteria and food pantry. The garden was also a great place to study pollinators and learn about how to support them.

Allen says, “My students are incredibly hard working, passionate individuals, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to be working on these projects. I am grateful for seeing their joy.”

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Garden & Greenhouse

Katahdin Elementary School At Katahdin Elementary School, the grant helped purchase gloves, watering cans, and hand tools for students to use in the new Garden Classroom. The gloves allow students with sensory sensitivities to comfortably get their hands in the dirt. The watering cans present an opportunity for students to internalize one of the key needs for all plants: water. They’ve also allowed watering to become a ritual that entire classes get to participate in. The hand tools make tasks like transplanting, weeding, and exploring the soil less frustrating and more satisfying. Teacher Gail Pocock explains what the garden means to the school, “As we settle into our Garden Classroom the KES community is continuously discovering new ways that the space can connect to both our regular curricula and our students’ social-emotional learning. As the seasons change, as we steward plants through their lifecycles, as food webs churn and nutrients cycle. The mechanics of pollination click when a student dissects a tulip and observes its pistil and stamen, and the importance of the process is driven home when a squash flower loses its petals and swells into a fruit. Classmates have to work together to mix compost into the soil, to carry heavy loads, and to weed the beds. They solve problems cooperatively and feel mutually responsible for the garden’s wellbeing.”

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Montello Elementary School

Grant money at Montello school went towards improving the garden as an outdoor learning space.This included purchasing a compost system in the school garden to be incorporated into summer lessons and then school-wide sustainability programming in the Fall. Teacher Ellie Vance reports about the impact of this space on students, “During my time as an outdoor educator, I’ve realized that my favorite part of doing lessons in the garden is when students who have a hard time in a classroom setting can really shine in an alternative situation. In April, I led a leaf observation lesson, where we we learn how to draw leaves like scientists and then see if we can distinguish them when they are all jumbled in a pile together. I had students find a spot on the ground and use their foam squares and clipboards to draw their leaves. I was shocked to see that one student, who had enormous difficulties sitting still at this desk, was completely zoned into his drawing, focusing immense concentration on getting every edge correct.

He even drew a zoomed in portion so he could count the speckles on his leaf! I loved realizing that my student got an opportunity to be at his best and enjoy learning.”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Garden & Greenhouse

Mount Ararat High School Project GROW at Mt. Ararat High School purchased a garden hose and reel, hand tools (shovels and rakes), fencing and posts, weed barriers, a wheel barrow, and 5 hand-made raised beds, two of which will be made specific to ADA accessibility standards. Youth have been able to contribute to the garden in many ways, gaining a sense of accomplishment and purpose as they also gain healing and community.

At a community garden day in spring, Darcy Baggett, LCSW, shared what was happening when the principal came out to be a part of it: “On Friday, he came out to check on the garden team to find us smiling, laughing, working hard on common goals, feeling the warmth of the sunshine and getting dirty. We became empowered by the project and renewed by nature. Educators and students alike were working together to bring a new garden to life — a future source of learning outdoors that will be available to all students at Mt. Ararat High School. Project GROW - Garden Roots and Outdoor Wellness - while just an empty field of soil a day earlier, was already serving our community. Without the MEEA grant, our project wouldn’t be possible. Thank you for supporting school gardens across the state. Ours will surely continue to fulfill the needs of our staff and students.”

Mount Desert Elementary

At Mount Desert Elementary, the MEEA grant funds were used to buy seeds, plant pots, potting soil, new hoses, organic fertilizers, tools, posts/stakes, organic bug deterrent, twines, fencing and general supplies.

Located in Northeast Harbor, the Mount Desert Elementary School’s, ’Growing Gardens, Growing Minds,’ garden program is an outdoor classroom committed to a vision of engaging authentic learning for students from kindergarten to eighth grade. The school has a garden where the students plant seeds, dig in the ground, grow vegetables organically and learn about garden maintenance.

In the greenhouse, the students plant seeds during March and April, and later, plant the seedlings in the garden when the warm weather arrives. Teaching children to grow their own food, in a very large outdoor garden, opens young minds to environmental awareness, sustainability, and to have respect for nature.

When the students return to school after the summer, they have a magical, wonderland of a garden, full of greenery and wildlife. The garden is bursting with vegetables~as well as hundreds of flowers and sunflowers, grown for beauty, and for the important garden pollinators.

The vegetables are harvested by the young gardeners in early September. Potatoes are dug, carrots pulled, cucumbers, corn, sweet peppers, different squashes and a variety of other vegetables are picked and eaten off the vine or used by the cafeteria for school lunches.

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Garden & Greenhouse

Mt. Blue High School

Oceanside Middle School At Oceanside Middle School the grant funds were used to purchase six picnic tables, six umbrellas, and paint.

The goal was to be able to offer students seating options outside to learn. Students built the tables themselves, painted them and determined where to put them. Seating improved the outdoor learning experience and was essential during the pandemic.

Teacher Catherine Sally shared this story: “One sixth grade teacher took her class outside to write poetry up in the garden. After being outside for a period (45 minutes) , she said: ‘We wrote more poetry in 20 minutes than we have in a week! They were totally into being outside, being comfortable, and writing!’”

Many people from the OMS community have used the new seating and it is a great addition to the school.

The funds provided by the MEEA Mini-Grant were used

by Mt. Blue HIgh School to purchase wood to build the 2 wheelchair accessible raised garden beds, gardening mix soil, and plants and seeds. Outdoor learning in the Life Skills program has included a sidewalk garden for about 4 years now. Students started out planting sunflowers seeds inside in little cups, then in May transplanted them in a newly created sidewalk garden. By fall they were thrilled to see how tall and beautiful the sunflowers had become!

Additional bulbs, donated flowers and a hummingbird feeder add to the beautiful space.

Students and staff built the 2 raised garden beds.

One side is built to accommodate a student who uses a wheelchair. The other side is for a student who can stand but has difficulty squatting or bending down safely to work in the ground garden. Now, students who need these accommodations have them. One raised garden bed was placed near the door of the Life Skills Program and the other was placed in the garden area that is used for health and gardening classes. Both special education and general education students who use a wheelchair will now have the opportunity to garden with everyone else.

Teacher Lynda Szenes shares, “We are deeply grateful for the generous mini-grant that allowed us to add these two lovely additions.”

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Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Garden & Greenhouse

Sanford Pride Elementary School

Sanford Pride Elementary School used its grant to jump start use of the greenhouse and begin a composting program. The school purchased gardening materials, such as pots, soil, seeds, and fertilizer as well as 3 large eco compost bins that will be set up outside of the cafeteria.

Students will learn how to compost as well as why it is beneficial to the environment.

Teacher Alexandra Smye reports, “With the addition of the greenhouse to the learning environment, it really kickstarted their interest in helping something else grow.

They became invested in the flowers and plants, not only wanting to plant more and more, but also in the process of taking care of something other than yourself. The students and I had discussions surrounding sustainability, and why growing your own food is both good for the planet, but also good for your health. The students were also held accountable for watering the plants throughout the day. I could even count on the students to take care of the plants if I was ever absent.”

The school has plans to continue seeking opportunities to use the greenhouse for educational projects, including high school students in the project as well.

Windham Middle School MEEA grant funds were used to purchase raised beds, soil, starter trays, and seeds for a school garden at Windham Middle School. Students took a lead role in nearly every step of the process. For most this project marked the first time designing and building raised beds, including researching the design, planting the seeds, and using power tools!

In discussing the impact one student shared, “I used to be afraid to go outside because of hornets and ticks and bugs, but building outside distracted me from my fear of bugs. It was exciting to use powertools, and I don’t even mind the bug bites I got.” Mason also remarked, “The grant got their money’s worth because this garden will last for a long time. I’m looking forward to coming to school to use the gardens over the summer, and it’ll be a pretty nice home for the worms.”

The beds have been offered for families to use over the summer, and several families living in apartments have responded positively to the offer. The harvest in the fall will be able to feed students during their snacks and lunches. This is the first community garden for the families at Windham Middle School, and students now have all the necessary skills and knowledge to go from the vision to execution of raised beds.

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Outdoor Classroom Solutions

Agnes Gray Elementary School

Albion Elementary School

At Agnes Gray Elementary school grant funds purchased 20 nylon hammocks for the creation of two Reading Groves. Students helped to clear out the spaces in the forest and hung up the hammocks, after establishing protocol for care of the new shared spaces. Several times each day, now that the weather’s nice, teachers bring a class out to one of the groves (named, by students, the “Rocky Hill Grove” and the “Marsh Grove”) to read quietly.

The hope has been to instill a love of reading outdoors as summer sets in. Students even participated in an Outdoor Reading Challenge, with students keeping track of time spent reading outside at home and at school.

Outdoor Learning Coordinator Sarah Timm reports, “Our kids’ faces change completely when they leave their seats and get outside; they are transformed into excited, active learners. They seek out experiences to learn and explore. They are better regulated and more engaged.

They have built and mapped a trail in the woods.

They’ve learned about earth’s systems and created signage detailing examples right here in our backyard. They’ve taken on the role of squirrels, making financial decisions with their cache of acorns. And most importantly, they’ve learned to feel at home in outdoor spaces, a lesson that will stay with them as they grow and make decisions that will affect their lives and all lives on planet earth.”

At Albion Elementary School’s KVCAP Pre-K program, cedar blocks were purchased with grant funds to add a natural element to the playground and encourage development of gross motor skills.

Teacher Traci McClaire says, “The children are enjoying this new addition to our playground and excited to share with their family members. The small community of Albion uses the school playground after hours, on the weekends and during summer vacation. Having new natural tools/activities allows families to find new ways to experience the playground and teach children valuable skills (such as balancing on the wooden blocks).”

They hope to continue to improve the outdoor space for the Pre-K and the entire community.

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Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Classroom Solutions

Amanda C. Rowe Elementary

At Rowe Elementary, the grant funds were used to make improvements to trails and establish outdoor classrooms in the forest next to the school. Students took ownership of this project by helping to clear the in-forest classrooms, spread bark mulch and make signs related to the spaces.

Every class and every student at Rowe School used several of the in-forest classrooms throughout the year during their Outdoor, Nature-based Art classes. Students loved learning in the forest. Behaviors were improved and minds were calmed. Students explored, observed and experienced nature firsthand.

In addition to the Outdoor, Nature-based Art teacher, a few other teachers were also able to use the in-forest classrooms. The goal for these in-forest classroom spaces is to increase the use of the forest by classroom teachers.

This grant helped build 7 in-forest classrooms that have varying degrees of accessibility. Some are very accessible and other take more effort and ability to access. Teacher Jessica Puzak reports, “It is our hope that teachers will start off with the easily accessible in-forest classrooms and then advance to the less accessible as they build confidence in their ability to teach in the forest.

The community also uses these spaces more now. After school and on weekends, I frequently see families in the forest with their children showing them where they learn.”

Belfast Community Outreach At Belfast Community Outreach Program, funds were used to create a new pollinator/study garden space at the front of the school. The funds were used specifically to purchase two yards of mulch, a half dozen pollinator friendly perennial plants including honeysuckle and azalea, one garden arbor and 4 Adirondack rockers that are much beloved by students. BCOPE is fortunate to have a working garden at the rear of the school and a greenhouse that is constantly in use and being worked on. In the past two years, as a community, everyone is outside more and more often, working in the garden, hiking, and even just sitting quietly.

Teacher Lindsey Schortz says, “One of my most active students has found that he enjoys sitting in those rockers and doing his writing. He started with us second semester this year, and if he is not helping out, shooting hoops, in class or working on his music, you can almost always count on finding him in one of those big rocking chairs, still in motion, but writing in his journal. And for the majority of our students, the question has gone from how long do we need to write (or research) to can we write or work outside. Come by most days and you will see BCOPE students, working, in our new outdoor space.”

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Outdoor Classroom Solutions

Bonny Eagle Middle School At Bonny Eagle Middle School the grant was used for a variety of basic outdoor learning supplies to easily transition classroom activities outdoors.

Bonny Eagle has an outdoor education program, and many students have had that class as an elective for 3 years and they are able to use the skills and comfort they learned for science- focused outdoor learning.

For example, learning about Newton’s Laws of motion involved building catapults and testing them outside, which was a great way to spend the spring.

Teacher Erin Hullinger explains how the transition to outdoor learning went for her class, “I feel that equipping my students with outdoor learning materials helped increase their interest in school, improved their teamwork, decreased stress (as no one was fighting for limited materials AND we were in the sunshine), and made them feel special. They knew that they had been chosen for a grant that would allow us to learn outside, and they were so excited to help unbox everything as it arrived. They would even come borrow the chairs to use in other classes. My school has an amazing outdoor, forested campus, large fields, and a courtyard full of perennials. It is a gift to be able to utilize these spaces without parting from specific learning and curriculum goals.”

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Cascade Brook School

Cascade Brook School used grant funds to purchase supplies for 12 storywalk signs. Students from Foster Regional Tech’s Pre Engineering class built and installed them. Another great partnership is with local independent bookstore, Devaney, Doak & Garrett Booksellers, to purchase books to take apart for use in the signs. With these signs in place, the nature trail can have educational materials on display. Students and their families will be able to learn more about the natural surroundings when they use this path, even when they are not accompanied by a teacher to point things out along the way.

Teacher Amy Graham shares about the value of the trail and signs, “Our trail provides students with much needed movement breaks throughout the day. The walk through the woods gives us an opportunity to take a break from the hum of the air exchange and the glare of the overhead fluorescent lights. We pause to listen to what we can hear - the calls of oven birds in the understory, the croak and wing flap of a crow flying overhead, the distant hammering of a woodpecker, the burbling of water as it flows over rocks in the stream.

The signs encourage us to find these moments to pause and notice and be. We appreciate your support in making outdoor learning a feasible daily activity for our students!”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Classroom Solutions

Cony Middle/ High School

Cony teacher Brenda Weis used her grant funds to first purchase a pop up tent as well as bicycle repair parts for several donated bicycles, a bike stand, bike pump, and several bicycle tools. She also purchased 10 camp seat cushions as well as clipboards to add to an already existing stock - enough for a class of 25 students. In addition she bought Sibley’s Backyard Birds of the Northeast Folding Field Guides along with binoculars and a Cornell Lab of Ornithology online course titled Let’s Go Outside! How to Connect Kids with Birds and Nature that she will complete this summer. Finally, storage totes in which to store these materials.

The Augusta Nature Center is in Cony’s backyard.

Students have the opportunity in the Outdoor Education elective class to become immersed in the woods, and the course will include a birding unit next year using the supplies purchased with the grant.

Brenda Weis sees how important the outdoors are to her and her students, “Now, more than ever, after what our students and educators went through over the past couple years, the outdoors is a necessity. I want my students to take advantage of nature; to find its healing qualities. I want to teach them skills and impart knowledge on them so they feel safe and comfortable going on adventures and journeying into the great outdoors.”

Dedham School At Dedham School, funds went towards improvements to the school grounds. These included log steps, giant tree cookies, binoculars and garden tools. Students take pride in their outdoor spaces, they enjoy counting acorn caps instead of cubes, they prefer to measure downed trees instead of the classroom door, they love to learn about plants by planting seeds and transplanting seedlings themselves, and they love to run and play outside. Taking learning outside makes connections from the classroom to the natural world and creates curiosity about the spaces kids live in.

Teacher Beth Handley says, “I began teaching second grade 6 years ago after 25+ years in high school and middle school science. The second graders are so excited to learn about the place they live in, the outdoor spaces around our school, and they love to move! Channeling that energy into outdoor learning is easy and so beneficial. There really is nothing better.”

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Outdoor Classroom Solutions

Deer Isle Stonington Elementary School Deer Isle Stonington Elementary school purchased three benches and a table for the new Access Awareness Outdoor Classroom and extended an existing nature trail.

The new Outdoor Classroom is adjacent to both the high school and the tennis courts (which are widely used by the community) and connects with the accessible boardwalk.

Every elementary grade has units and lessons centered on the Nature Trail. The kindergarten has published a book: Nature Trail From A to Z. The 7th grade created a calendar with photos that they took and quotes describing the impact of outdoor learning on their learning, including “When I’m in the classroom and the teacher is talking, it is hard to focus but when we are outside and taking data I can engage. It is better to act like a real scientist and really do it rather than read about doing it.”

Teacher Mickie Flores shared this special story, “Kindergarten students collected coins and took them to the bank. They raised over $200 with their coin collection to donate to the maintenance of the Nature Trail that they enjoy visiting every day. A passerby asked the teacher what the class was doing at the bank. The teacher explained that the students had collected coins to maintain the Nature Trail they love so well. The passerby was touched by the story and donated $100 to add to the fund!”

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Dresden Elementary School

At Dresden Elementary, funds from the grant were used primarily to purchase tools and seeds for gardening and for maintaining the school’s hiking trails. The kindergarten and pre-k team bought a series of outdoor games and activity stations. Lastly, the school invested in a collection of winter boots to give needy students when wet and wintery weather starts.

Kindergarten students participated in a seed starting activity using the supplies purchased. The students started out planting sunflower, morning glory and sweet pea seeds in cups and a few weeks later, they transferred them to garden beds and barrels that older students had prepared in front of the building.

Teacher Keziah Bowman shared about the enthusiasm of all the students, “But the surprise came from little Jaxon. He looked at the beds one morning and declared, “Look! Those are weeds growing around our plants. They need to come out!” So Virginia showed the 5 and 6 year olds how to weed. They were impressive weeders, but none better or more enthusiastic than Jaxon. There was no wandering. There was no avoiding the activity. He stayed fully engaged and fully attuned and the garden thrived.

Virginia intends to do more planting next year. And everyone is excited, especially Jaxon.”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Classroom Solutions

Durham Community School

At Durham Community School, the grant funds were used primarily for the purchase of items that would benefit students and teachers in spending more time learning outdoors in nature. They purchased professional books, portable equipment (plastic totes, sleds, chalkboards, hammocks), and gear for students to wear in inclement weather (rainpants, umbrellas). The school created portable bins by season that teachers can “grab & go” that include activities, materials, and literature for making connections to nature and place at our school campus which includes: trails, woodlands, gardens and an orchard. There is also an outdoor learning resources section for teachers in the school library.

A teacher reported, “‘The eagerness and engagement from students to get outside and take on learning in nature was so encouraging from a teaching standpoint.

Students were willing to learn and try new things, and anxiously collaborated with each other.’”

And a student put it simply, “‘Learning outside is more realistic.’”

Parents are also excited about it, as one parent shared, “‘Outdoor learning has had a wonderful impact. She comes home very excited to tell me about what she has done with her friends outside at school. From cleaning up trash around the pond, dissecting pods to see what is inside them, the lifecycle of a butterfly, seeds, hummingbirds, the importance of bees, etc. She proudly tells others to leave the bees alone because they have very important jobs.’”

Ellsworth High School At Ellsworth High School, the grant was used to facilitate walking, group work and various mindfulness activities outdoors on campus. Good weather provided opportunities to provide mindfulness walks, outdoor counseling sessions, and practice of breath work, meditation and guided imagery mindfulness breaks.The ability to facilitate outdoor SEL activities has provided a new facet to SEL programming. It has encouraged students to take sessions outdoors and integrate the wonderful healing power of nature. Teacher Amy Vandorn shares, “The best example of the impact and “success” of our project is hearing from students who participated and learning that they will be continuing their mindfulness practices outdoors during the summer. Knowing that they are going to integrate what they had experienced and learned to their everyday life, without being encouraged by a grade, teacher prompt or counselors coaching, is very rewarding.”

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Outdoor Classroom Solutions

Gardiner Area High School Teacher Sharon Gallant from Gardiner Area High School purchased 46 camp or bag chairs, 2 easels, 50 magnetic white clip boards, and 50 markers with erasers to write on the boards. As well as two rolling carts to store all of the materials and two monthly calendar boards that are mounted on the wall for teachers to use to sign up and reserve the chairs for their class period.

Teacher Jen Varmecky took advantage of these supplies and reported “I had given students a handout the previous day. No one completed the worksheet. I took the kids out, sat them in the camp chairs, and the assignment was completed in a heartbeat. Incredible that they will do something for me outside, but won’t inside. I’m going out everyday.”

Gallant shares, “I have received several thank you’s from teachers who have brought their students outside, all with notes of gratitude. Students are THRILLED to have class outside and are asking for more. Because of this response, my principal and I are looking at changing our earth science freshman class to an outside classroom every day next year!! Woo hoo!!!”

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Georgetown Central School

Georgetown Central School used the funds to support an expeditionary unit for Pre-K- 2nd grade. Students researched what plants attract butterflies and bees. After conducting the initial research, they purchased seeds and small planting pots to grow seeds. Students watched as the seeds sprouted and grew bigger and bigger. As the seeds were growing, they used grant funds to develop the rest of the garden with raised beds, a trellis, fence and picnic table. Outdoor learning community has opened teachers and students up to a new style of learning.

Learning activities and targets are focused around a guiding question. These guided questions are driven by science, specifically in the areas of habitats, animals and the human impact on the environment. Teacher Nina Willette says, “Outside, we have noticed that students who have challenges being still, are much more able to attend and learn. Students are curious, ask questions, and notice things in the world around them that may be part of the lesson, but may be completely spontaneous. They learn to appreciate the land they live in and the world around them, most importantly, they learn they have to take care of the land and everything that is a part of the world.

It is amazing to have the support to build these unique learning environments for students.”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Classroom Solutions

Gerald E. Talbot Elementary School

Governor John Fairfield School Governor John Fairfield School utilized the grant funds to purchase supplies for bringing the learning outside including clothing and gear, science and gardening supplies and outdoor seating.

Students enjoyed hands-on, messy science and explored the scientific process and conducted several experiments throughout the year, going outside as much as possible.

Students also spent many mornings planting, watering, and observing the vegetables they grew for the school cafeteria. They learned about plant parts and functions as part of their animal and plant science unit.

Teacher Jamie Paige says, “Sometimes it can be challenging to bring the classroom curriculum outside.

The scoop chairs were a great way to get students outside for some reading and writing activities. First graders can be squirmy and fearful of bugs, so the scoop chairs were great for providing a secure seat away from bugs.

Our outdoor buddy reading sessions were the highlight of my year. Sun, fresh air, friends, and books are the perfect combination!”

The funds from the MEEA grant were used to purchase 50 “crazy creek” style camping chairs, as well as a set of 20 camping chairs. This seating was a huge investment in outdoor learning at Talbot Elementary School. These pieces will help classes to be more comfortable outdoors while reading, writing and doing math outdoors. The plan is to store these chairs in accessible and communal locations around the school so that classrooms can easily access them while learning. Teacher Anna Franceschetti shares, “For months I have watched students lug their hard classroom chairs and their books out to sit on the sidewalk and grass embankment outside their classroom.

Their chairs rest awkwardly on the incline of the hill and the students wiggle to get comfortable.

With the arrival of the “crazy creeks” students have been able the transition to outdoor learning has been seamless. Students are able to take their chair with them and venture a bit further from the shadow of the school and sit comfortably. The MEEA grant has made the comfort, ease and accessibility of outdoor learning a reality at Talbot school. Thank you!!”

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Outdoor Classroom Solutions

Greenville Consolidated School

At Greenville Consolidated School the funds were used to purchase: • writing materials for field data collection Rite in the Rain copy paper, student field journals, and clip boards • 5-gallon buckets with padded bucket seats provide storage and a portable seat • pop-up tent canopy • collecting nets, specimen containers and trowels • portable whiteboard Behind the school there is a nature trail that winds through a stand of mostly softwood trees. The trail is dotted with snags, woody debris, and the occasional uprooted tree. Spongy mosses and rocks cover the forest floor and a small shallow brook meanders through the woods. This is the outdoor classroom.

Throughout the school year students venture outside to the school nature trail to explore the woods and discover the magic of nature. Elementary students search under rocks and rotting logs to observe pill bugs, centipedes, spiders, and salamanders as they learn about life on the forest floor. Middle school students explore the brook in search of macroinvertebrates as they learn about stream ecology, and high school environmental science students collect data about the health of the forest ecosystem.

Five-gallon buckets are used to carry the various supplies – clipboards, nature journals, collecting nets, specimen containers and trowels. The padded seat cover keeps the materials dry and organized and also provides a comfortable dry seat for students to sit and record observations.

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Hope Elementary School At Hope Elementary School MEEA funds were used to purchase tools and materials that improved the outdoor learning spaces and expanded the breadth and benefit of nature-based learning.

Each season brought new and fascinating discoveries and opportunities to deepen students’ connection with the natural world. They got to know the outdoor learning spaces through all of the seasons and have built deep relationships with them and their trees, through which abundant learning has blossomed. Under the Quaking Aspen was their favorite place to have math lessons. The forest nook has become a thick and magical jungle of nascent Beech leaves and abundant new hemlock growth.

On the last day of sit spots this year, a weekly solo time when students perch in their special place, a student said to her sit spot, “Thank you for being my friend. I will miss you.”

Teacher Sarah Schafer shares, “ Our ability to be outside and learn and grow along with the seasons has been supported by the gear that keeps us warm and dry, the tools that we’ve used to co-create our outdoor learning spaces and the materials needed to engage in continuous, meaningful, nature-based curriculum. So, just like the students gave their genuine thanks to the red maple trees and their sit spots, “thank you” to MEEA for believing in the wonder that the outdoors has to teach our children.”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Classroom Solutions

Howard C. Reiche Elementary School

The grant funds were used to buy a magnifying lens for every student at Reiche Elementary School. These simple tools became a central part of observing in the garden, where students follow a seasonal learning pattern to explore the Reiche garden as an ever-changing landscape through which many authentic lessons can be learned.

One example of this is observation of plants at different phases of their lifecycle, as well as the impact of climate and weather on this cycle.

The third graders got really excited about this, and started noticing things outside of school as well. One third grader commented on the fact that they noticed the same flowers blooming in their yard as the ones blooming in our garden. They also started to ask questions about these changes, like “how does the sun make flowers bloom?” and “does rain make spring come?” and “why is it hot and cold in the spring?” These questions then prompted further learning about the changing seasons.

Teacher Kristen Fox shares, “Outdoor education is a powerful tool to give students autonomy over their own knowledge and understanding. Children are interested observers and learners. When given the space and tools to use this innate curiosity, they flourish. Garden has been a favorite class for most of the students in the school, simply because they are asked to be curious, and look around.”

Kingfield Elementary School At Kingfield Elementary, MEEA funding was used to partner with Maine Local Living School. This partnership has become an important cornerstone in place-based education through modeling lessons and learning together.

The school is working to bring to life a vision where all students are outside and connected to the natural world and human community in ways that enhance their ability to be stewards of the western Maine region, and citizens of a global community.

Teachers and staff have been energized by new connections and collaborations. Families have loved the active and outdoor learning. Students have come to understand the patterns of the days and seasons.

Principal Johanna Prince explains, “This spring we engaged in a Three Books: One Place shared celebration of reading, community and nature. All students read the same three books, and met weekly for dialog, activities and community building. We learned more about the human history of Kingfield with visits to the Stanley Museum, and visits from members of the Penobscot Nation. We learned more about our soil and gardens, and expanding our green spaces to include fruit trees and reintroducing native flowers to a previously mowed field. These projects and smiles shared in learning outdoors and community have become a hallmark of the way our school operates.”

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Outdoor Classroom Solutions

Marshwood Great Works School At Marshwood Great Works School, the grant supported a weekly Woodland and Wonders class with books, games, clipboards, microscopes, wagons and a bird feeding station. This school year on Thursdays a new special Woodland & Wonder was piloted at Marshwood Great Works School to provide each student with outdoor learning opportunities. Sessions are designed for students to encourage exploration in nature, while learning to assess risk and develop the ability to respond to new situations and each other. Each class had sessions throughout the year to experience different seasons and changes in the natural world.

Teacher Grace Jacobs saw how important this class was to students: “This time outside has become something sacred to our students and is looked forward to with excitement. One of the things that has been noted is that students are much more at ease and there’s a heightened sense of connection amongst students when they are playing and learning outdoors. Learning outdoors helps develop a sense of place. Our students are more observant and have learned to be outside no matter the weather.

We are grateful for the funding of tools to expand our access to all of our students. Woodland & Wonder has been a success and will continue. Marshwood Great Works School looks forward to continuing the journey in connecting our students with nature for their academic, social, and emotional growth.”

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Middle School of the Kennebunks

At Middle School of the Kennebunks, funds were used to purchase building materials and tools for bridges that provide access through the old growth forest. Students worked together to make measurements for the bridges and make appropriate designs for each section where one was needed. Taking the classroom outside to work together on a project that will benefit the school community for many years gave everyone a good feeling. Kids were able to socialize as they worked together to build the bridges and walkways in a way they hadn’t since the start of the pandemic. They were able to leave the school and work among the beautiful tall hemlocks and pines, the sounds of the birds, the smells of the forest, and the flow of the streams. The anxiety levels drop, opening the door for so much growth.

Once the bridges were complete, the seventh grade science class was able to start using the trail as a research trail through what is now called the MSK Research Forest.

Students documented the DBH of trees, estimated, height of trees, calculated carbon sequestration potential, and recorded changes through the seasons. With this data, students will continue to map out the research forest and document trends over the years. They will look for signs of climate change and invasive species. Students for years to come will benefit from the new bridge system.

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Classroom Solutions

Milbridge Elementary School

Milo Elementary School

The funds from the MEEA Grant was used to purchase 24 orange safety vests, 24 magnifying glasses, and 24 sets of binoculars for students at Milbridge Elementary..

All of these items have been used in our outdoor classroom and when the students participate in the Maine Outdoor School programs. The magnifying glasses have been used by students when they are observing and exploring nature. During field trips to the Milbridge Commons students used the binoculars to observe the many bird species of the Maine coast.

Teacher Allison Wallace says, “The students have loved being able to learn and explore nature during the fall and winter months. The orange safety vests ensure each student and adult’s safety when using the Outdoor Classroom and the Milbridge Commons (community park). All of these items are part of our Nature Lending Library to encourage outdoor experiences and learning.

I love seeing the students’ faces light up when they make discoveries in nature that we have talked about in the classroom. Thank you again for opening new educational opportunities for the students through nature and the outdoors.”

Milo Elementary students are benefitting from a Ga-Ga pit purchased with grant funds. Teacher Dawn McLaughlin reports, ”By heading outside and learning in nature, kids improve their emotional, intellectual, and behavioral development. Outdoor learning helps foster the development of creativity, problem-solving, independence, and confidence. I have seen all of these benefits first hand. There is just something about being outside that makes life better. I love the immediate response my students have when they hear we are going outside for class. Big cheers and bigger smiles.”

Students from around the district are also using the outdoor Ga-Ga pit as well.

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Outdoor Classroom Solutions

North Elementary School

Oak Hill Middle School Oak Hill Middle School used grant funds to purchase 5 picnic tables. These picnic tables were placed outside of the cafeteria to use for lunch and classes, and provided students with the chance to take breaks from wearing their masks while continuing their lessons. After speaking with Team Leaders and Principal Mr. Wilson, she completed the application for the Mini Grant.

After the picnic tables arrived, the teachers quickly began to utilize them for rotating classes to an outside classroom environment. This allowed students to have mask breaks, and fresh air!

North Elementary used their funds to start an outdoor classroom, including a mud kitchen.Students are enthusiastic about using the mud kitchen to learn about soil and sand and practice their imaginative play.

Teacher Katlyn Butler says, “As we looked to the future of North Elementary and building a new school we found ourselves dreaming for things like a mud kitchen. The dream came true with this grant. The impact of this mud kitchen on our school was huge and we thank you for the opportunity to support outdoor learning in the lives of young children.”

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Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Classroom Solutions

Portland High School

Portland High School spent their grant on tools, compost, and plants. Donations to complement the grant came from Garbage to Garden and the City of Portland. Portland High School (PHS) just celebrated its two hundred and first graduation! The courtyard has seen many renovations over the years but recently it had become overgrown with weeds. When COVID19 hit and students finally returned to school, it was clear that students and teachers needed a space to gather safely outdoors. Teachers Andres Llorente Tom Talarico jumped into action and began making the courtyard more conducive to outdoor learning. Tom Talarico says, “We are happy to say that numerous students and teachers have used the courtyard since renovations have begun. Since we are an urban campus, our outdoor learning spaces are limited. The recent renovations have enabled more students to learn outdoors.”

Region 10 Technical High School At Region 10 Technical High School, grant funds were used to purchase 16 chairs, wood, lattice, plants, soils, garden tools, an outdoor heater, a locking storage tote and chain to secure desks and the chairs: basically everything necessary for an outdoor classroom. The students used the space often and other classes have used the space as well, it is really a wonderful place!

The classroom was established to encourage students to read outside. Once the setting was ready, students chose their own books, with teacher approval, and used the space to read. All of the instructors from each of the trades contributed by sharing what they were reading lately, and providing trade journals and magazines for the students to read, giving the students great examples of why reading is important, even for students bound for trades.

Teacher Helen Enriquez shared, “By the end of the year, students were asking for more reading time. It was wonderful to see students reading together, in the beautiful space that they built. The space is so great that other classes used the space when it was available. There are no words to describe how nice it is to see a group of 8-10 teenagers quietly reading, even for a few minutes.”

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Outdoor Classroom Solutions

Sanford Middle School At Sanford Middle School, grant funds purchased the tools to do amphibian investigation in the local watershed.

The ultimate goals are getting students outside, learning about and appreciating their local ecosystem and creating a database of recorded amphibians to be shared with local/state environmental organizations in hopes of being active citizens preserving their local ecosystems.

Students used waders and nets to explore, capture and identify animals found in the surrounding watersheds, everything from full grown leopard frogs to tadpoles, crawfish, and an assortment of different nymphs. For many students this was the first time they were able to examine this watershed and the extensive number of species living it in. This year was also the first time they were able to collect data on the species present in the pond, as well as water quality and begin to investigate the health of Stump Pond. Teacher Diana Allen explains, “I’m just thrilled that this year we were able to jump into our new waders, grab up our nets and get out there looking for amphibians. It was amazing to see how proud Joey was to hold up the frog he caught…the only one that was caught the whole day. These are the moments they won’t forget and that will build their appreciation for the natural world and their desire to save it.”

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Sanford Pride Elementary School

At Sanford Pride Elementary School the grant funds were used to purchase the outdoor shed, shelving, clipboards, magnifying glasses, a portable whiteboard with markers and an entire nature based collection of books. Supplies were made available so that teachers could come to the classroom to do their own outdoor lessons OR participate in the activity provided.

Teacher Noel Leigh saw the positive impact of outdoor learning, “One troubled student of mine found himself reluctant to participate in the ordinary curriculum. I was having a terrible time connecting with him and helping him to be successful. Then, I invited another teacher to visit and teach my kids to nature journal in the outdoor classroom. Something inside him clicked. He started to carry a bag with field guides and a nature journal. He wanted to look closely and identify the plants and trees around the school. He even made me a bird house to add to the outdoor classroom! We had FINALLY made that connection I had been trying to find and he had a terrific end of the school year with minimal behaviors.”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Classroom Solutions

TWK Dirigo Middle School

At TWK Dirigo Middle School, funds were used to purchase binoculars, magnifying glasses, and soil & water strips as well as a greenhouse and gardening and composting supplies. Students in the alternative education program grew and sold a variety of seedlings and also planted their own school garden. Soil and water testing and composting were other important elements of the project. Teacher Lisa Hutchings reports, “My students have learned a lot about the ecology of Maine this year and these tools gave my students the opportunity to do hands-on activities that will stick with them!

We feel so fortunate to have received this amazing grant opportunity! Thank you for believing in the students of Maine and helping teachers to provide tools to get students outside to learn things for themselves through hands-on activities. This grant has opened many doors for my students and they are already thinking about ways to extend their learning!”

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Outdoor Recreation

Buxton Center Elementary School

At Buxton Center Elementary School the MEEA Grant funds were used to purchase backpacks, compasses, rain ponchos, two-way radios, and binoculars. These materials were used on the school campus and off-campus at various field experiences, including hikes and a Brook Trout release.

Over the course of the year, students have hiked several smaller mountains and completed nature walks, in addition to being outside almost daily on the school campus. These field learning experiences connected directly to literacy, math, science, and social studies. The new backpacks allowed for a level of comfort to be provided to ensure that students could focus on the learning, immersing themselves within the field experience, being present in the moment, and appreciating the natural world around them. It also provided confidence to students with less outdoor experience because they felt like they were “real” hikers.

Students learned to use a compass and began to understand the difference between true and magnetic north, learn map skills and how to read a topographic map, and begin to learn how to navigate safely. Students were also able to apply their mathematical knowledge of degrees and angles in a real world manner.

Teacher Amanda Blunda shares, “As our experiential program evolves, students are gaining confidence in their own abilities, extending their appreciation for the natural world, and inspiring other students, teachers, and their families to take learning outdoors.”

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Clinton Elementary School Clinton Elementary School improved their playground by purchasing 2 large tunnels, 6 sets of binoculars, 2 sets of sensory stepping stones and a set of Let’s get moving activity cards.

This allows for students to have structured activities to improve their gross motor skills while enjoying being outside. The new playground has been a big hit with students.

Teacher Penni Porter says, “We feel the items have brought the children together as a group as well as providing them opportunities for teacher-led gross motor activities but also for exploration on their own in smaller groups. We see them sharing the materials, asking others if they want to join, making sure everyone gets a turn and even checking on one another if someone should fall from the stepping stones, making this group a more caring, thoughtful, empathizing group.”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Recreation

Cushing Community School

At Cushing Community School grant funds were used to build a story path. Community volunteers designed, built, and installed a series of “storyboards” that are placed along a trail. The intent is for students, classes, and/or families to walk the path and enjoy a book along the way.The construction of the Story Path was a community effort, another example of the community relationships that have helped the school develop exciting resources that foster outdoor exploration, education and programming.

The Story Path connects other important outdoor resources of the school. It begins along the nearby Town Nature Trail, it extends along the back of the school building and leads to a newer outdoor classroom area, built last year with the help of students the Mid-Coast School of Technology who marked this new, smaller trail and community volunteers who built benches for the outdoor classroom area.

Principal Dawn Jones shares, “This wonderful new resource would not be possible without the support of community members who gave their time, energy and expertise. The Green Team vision was to inspire involvement with the natural world among all students, leading to an understanding of how all living things are connected and sustained with the help of caring communities. The Story Path is another step on this journey, and we couldn’t have created it without the help of our very own caring community.”

George B. Weatherbee School At George B Weatherbee School, all 299 students have had an opportunity to do a bike riding unit. PE teacher, Mr. Plaisted, has been gathering bikes from community donations as well as fixing used bikes so that students have a bike that is just right for them. The grant allowed him to purchase bike helmets, an essential safety component for the program.

The learning and progress of students was remarkable from start to finish. A dad stopped Mr. Plaisted in the parking lot upon dismissal and said, “Thank you so much for teaching my daughter to ride a bike. I failed miserably.”

Mr. Plaisted described this moment as a proud dad who had missed his daughter’s first steps. It was a bittersweet moment, but an indelible one.

Principal Jennifer Cyr reports, “The impact of this grant allowed us not only to improve our outdoor programming, but offered enrichment in our field day celebration and a new community pride around riding bikes. Families are reporting that their children are inspired to ride, and their families are riding together. This goes well beyond our original goal and is something we’re incredibly proud of. Thank you again for this support.”

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Outdoor Recreation

Lewiston Middle School MEEA grant funds were used for Lewiston Middle School 7th grade students to go to the YMCA Outdoor Education Center. Students were divided up by homerooms and spent a day at a 95-acre outdoor learning center. Students participated in the following activities: riparian-zone walk, a low-ropes course, archery, disc golf, gaga ball, and capture the flag. All activities were spread out with trail walks between them. Students had a picnic lunch surrounded by nature. Teacher Michelle Deblois says, “At Lewiston Public Schools many of our students have never set foot outside of the city landscape. Lewiston/Auburn is one of the most densely populated areas in Maine and access to outdoor space is limited. This preserved space is limited and many students do not get time to play outside due to family obligations and due to safety. This opportunity allowed students to experience the calming and rejuvenating joys of the outdoors.”

In addition, “After this trip we had many students express a desire to attend the YMCA summer camp at the outdoor education center. We also witnessed two students who typically struggle to work in the same space connect during an activity. The two students were actively helping and supporting each other on the low-ropes course. This was done without any teacher prompt and the students were using kind language towards each other for the first time.”

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Mount Ararat Middle School

At Mt. Ararat Middle School, funds were used to purchase materials to build skateboards for ten students, including plywood, paint, grip tape, and the wheel assemblies.

Students began working during the winter months, and initially designed snowboards. Taking their snowboards out to the local woods they discovered that their snowboards were not suitable to their needs. As a result, students set aside the snowboards and began designing and building sleds which were much more suited for their winter downhill runs. As spring approached, the students returned their focus to finishing their skateboards. Each student had their own creative design ranging from a simple board to a bacon themed skateboard.

Teacher John Hawley shared the impact this project had on students: “Upon completion, it was still too cold and icy to safely practice their skateboarding skills outside.

Our students had the unique opportunity to ride their skateboards up and down the halls of the school. The students’ pride in having met the challenges of their learning opportunity was evident in their joy while effortlessly gliding past other classrooms. In due time, the students were able to transition to the outdoors and ultimately got to bring home their own skateboard that they custom built with their own two hands.”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Recreation

Palermo Consolidated School The Palermo Consolidated School used their grant to improve the trail system around the school. Teacher Jared Grenier shared that, “The funds were used to resurface, widen, and provide signage for the trails. Gravel and wood chips were spread and three trail maps were created. This amazing work provides greater accessibility and inclusion for many students and staff to enjoy.”

Two community events were held to support the project.

Genier reported ”There were 30 community volunteers that assisted during the Spring Cleanup Day. This event was held to encourage families to enjoy the trails and gain ownership over this special area. One of those volunteers resurfaced and widened the trail a distance of 360ft. Another family took on the snack shack and set up a station with hotdogs, chili, chips and drinks for everyone to enjoy. Multiple families joined this weekend event to participate in a scavenger hunt, door prizes, and volunteering. It was a very fun hard working weekend.”

The Day of Caring invited high school students to help as well. Says Grenier, “It has been an uplifting opportunity to build the trails here. The trail network will be used for decades to come by all students who walk here and many from neighboring organizations. A huge thank you to all of the volunteers who helped, MEEA for making this possible, and RSU 12 for accommodating this site.”

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Outdoor Recreation

Richmond Middle/ High School

RSU 14 Katahdin Program

At Richmond Middle/High School the grant funds were used to purchase 12 razor scooters in order to supplement an existing bicycle program. The need was identified to get students who could not yet ride a bike experiencing moving on two wheels. It also helped to have the scooters for exploring the town with advisory groups. The scooters are made available to all students grades 6-12 and has both encouraged fun physical activity outdoors and helped some students conquer an even bigger challenge: riding a bike.

Teacher Joe Viselli talks about the excitement of seeing students overcome this challenge: “One student spent three weeks on a scooter before trying to ride a bicycle.

They were then able to pass all of their skills tests and now commute to school on their bike. Students are now planning on taking a trip to our local state park, Swan Island to ride the roads and trails. We have been able to ride and experience our town as a class.”

In the RSU 14 Katahdin Program, funds were used to purchase 10 LL Bean Spincaster Rod and reel sets as well as 10 fully stocked fishing tackle boxes and 15 fishing licenses for students that they will be able to use throughout the year both during school and in the summer. There is a lot of waiting patiently for the fish to bite, this allows for conversation and connection to happen, both between students and staff and nature. Having the opportunity to participate in outdoor learning with students gives staff the ability to connect on a different level with students.

Being able to teach respect for the Earth, along with other life lessons creates meaning through “play”, with these outdoor learning experiences.

Teacher Christine Fredette shares, “We recently took a group of six students camping in Acadia National Park.

This was such a special opportunity, all of them were amazed by the beauty of landscape. We even made it to the top of Cadillac for a spectacular sunrise! Four out of the six climbed out of their sleeping bags at 3:45 am to get a glimpse of the first peek of sunlight on the US. Hearing the students say things like, “Oh my goodness, that’s amazing” or “This is really great” made all of our work worth it.”

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Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Recreation

Veazie Community School

Village Elementary

Veazie Community school used its funds to purchase high quality sleds to encourage more physical activity during winter. Teacher Abigail Dorrity reported, “Students who typically were not interested in sledding were now going up to the hill to sled. They were all using creative ways on how they could go up the hill. Our school does a flex Friday were teachers run an activity for 3040 minutes. Some teachers used the sleds as another opportunity to get students out in the cold.”

Village Elementary used these funds to hire two guest speakers from White Pine, a local outdoor education program. White Pine staff provided students with Nature Journals, showed the students how and when to use the journals, and provided natural specimens for the students to touch and observe as a part of their journaling experience. Having educators from outside the school share their experiences with journaling helped students who historically have had little interest in writing or drawing make the connections that these are tools to be used for engaging with and exploring more about their natural world.

White Pine helped get the outdoor learning program at Village Elementary off the ground and the grant provided the funding to keep these educators involved in a support role.

Teacher Candra Glenn shares, ”I have students who in a more traditional inside setting struggle with selfregulation able to focus and even excel in the outdoor classroom. I have students who started the year by telling me about how much they hate getting dirty and who are now the first ones to turn over the logs to look for worms and roly-poly bugs. Students who cried at every bump or stubbed toe are now proficient navigators of the varied rocky terrain and carry themselves with confidence.”

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Science Exploration

Breathe Day Treatment Breathe Day Treatment in Portland Public Schools used their funds to help them explore their bog as they purchased boot covers, nets, jars, binoculars, owl pellets, microscopes and microscope slides as well as many wildlife, field guides, nature signs, trees and insect books.

These materials allowed for more time outside as students not only went to the bog, but since they had boot covers, were able to go into the bog and really explore. They found toad eggs, and brought them into the classroom and have watched them turn into tadpoles and released back into their natural habitat.

They had a visitor from Spark’s Ark come and teach about some animals. One of them was an owl. After, students dissected owl pellets, removed the bones, cleaned them and then identified the bones with a chart that was also purchased with grant money. Teacher Linda Rao saw the impact of the grant funded supplies, “We upgraded our beginner microscopes and purchased advanced microscopes. The difference between the two was quite startling to our kids. We were able to get a much closer view of prepared slides and also make our own. The slides we made were from samples of the bog, tadpoles that died, and insects that we found while exploring outside.

Thank you so much for giving our students these great opportunities to get out and explore our own backyard.”

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Jefferson Village School

At Jefferson Village School,the grant purchased two sets of 24-compass deluxe instructor’s kits. Kits also included lesson plans, worksheets, and an instructor compass with a lot of additional instructions and directions. The skills that go along with using and navigating with a compass are life long skills that will always be pertinent and important. The math teacher used them to do some orienteering right at the school. She set up a scavenger hunt with coordinates and had hidden eggs with prizes in them, but they had to match the coordinates on the paper you were trying to find. The students loved this activity and it was perfect for the end of the year where students are starting to shut down from classroom type academics.

Students shared their experiences learning how to use a compass: “At first they were hard, but with practice they got much easier.” “They were so fun to learn with.”

“When you learn how to use them it’s pretty exciting.”

“Once I got one in my hand I didn’t even know what it was, but thence learned how to use it and I got better and better.”

“It was fun to do something different in math class since usually we are just sitting in class.”

“The fun thing about it was getting stuff and prizes and it motivated us to learn and want to try harder.”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Science Exploration

Messalonskee Middle School

At Messalonskee Middle School, the grant was used to purchase ice fishing gear to support our science classes; Heritage tip-up traps, 2 pack baskets, 4 ice skimmers, 2 jig poles, 1 bait bucket, lures, line, hooks, sinkers, swivels and bait for two ice fishing days. We also purchased lumber, metal, tape, and other materials for students to make their own “perch traps”.Additionally, we purchased a GoPro to be able to see fish under the ice (unsuccessful this go around but we are hopeful for next winter!).

A student reported, “The second trip we went to Messalonskee Lake and a biologist joined us. He predrilled holes for us. We also used the auger to drill more holes and set all our traps. We only caught one fish that day, a yellow perch. It was really windy and only about 20 degrees F that day, but it was worth it. One of the best parts was when we were out drilling the holes out on the ice and watching the ice come out of the hole. It is also fun watching the flags go up when a fish bites it. I hope we can do this again next year.”

Mountain Valley Middle School Lacey Todd at Mountain Valley Middle School spent her grant on tools that provide students with the opportunity to learn more about local plant, animal, and fungal species and their impact on the ecosystem. Students used these tools to conduct multiple outdoor investigations, including citizen science projects and student-driven investigations. These supplies also enabled students to set up indoor microcosms to investigate vernal pools.

MVMS fifth-grade students recently learned about the importance of vernal pools to the local ecosystem. They made observations of a local vernal pool and created a list of questions around which they could design and conduct an investigation.

As part of their investigations, students created microcosms and developed their own data collection protocols. Over the course of two weeks, they made observations, collected data, and collaborated with scientists from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Vanderbilt University to help answer their questions.

During the third week, students analyzed and shared their data and published their findings.

Teacher Lacey Todd shares, “This experience has given students an understanding of our local ecosystem and the roles that organisms that are exclusive to vernal pools contribute to the ecosystem. It has also provided the opportunity for students to engage in scientific practices by planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, constructing explanations, and discussing their findings.”

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Science Exploration

Mt. Blue High School At Mt Blue High School the funds were used to purchase 5 sets of Dutch ovens, lid lifters, cover cooling rack, grates, tarps, rope, axes, bow saws.

All of these supplies were used in a Survival Chemistry Class, which saw students learning chemistry outdoors and through cooking- in all kinds of weather! One student commented on how much this class has impacted her, “It is hard to sit through a class and memorize facts. Our class was the first period of the day and normally I struggled with the motivation to get out of bed to go to school, but survival chemistry made me excited to go to school! After the first class, I turned to my friend Katie and said “This class gives me a reason to wake up and be excited for my day!” I know a lot of students struggle with remembering the material we learn in a normal class environment, but hands-on learning has made it easier for us to learn and remember. I always thought that heat was released when the wood burned, but in class through making fire, and learning about how it works, I learned that wood breaks down because of the heat, then those parts reassemble to make carbon dioxide, and the formation of that bond releases the heat, which makes fire. I also learned that fire is a release of energy.”

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Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning

Science Exploration

Pownal Elementary School At Pownal Elementary School grant funds were used to purchase snowshoes, a trail cam for observing and documenting wildlife in our area, a flower press to enhance the study of wildflowers, and literature. The literature includes information on wildflowers, birds, land mammals, tracks, mushrooms, and trees. Pownal Elementary School has a long history of incorporating the outdoors into learning with the support of parents, teachers and staff.

Snowshoes gave students the opportunity to learn outside when the snow is deep. A favorite activity is looking for scat and tracks.This year the fifth graders developed a relationship with Royal River Conservation Trust and they are creating an outdoor classroom and trail guide with seasonal activities and things to observe.

A trail cam, flower press and resource materials support this work. All classes spend a great deal of time outside observing the changing seasons and following birds and wildlife that live around our school.

Parents have shared that one of the things that they find special about our school is the outdoor learning. One parent said, “My daughter is an expert on animal tracks and scat, but don’t call it poop!” He also shared that she loved sharing her knowledge with the family and they looked for both when outside. A Mom shared that her children, “Absolutely love forest Tuesday. They love being outdoors and are learning so much.”

Washington Academy

At Washington Academy, the grant funds were utilized to purchase watercolor pencils and plant preservation materials. These resources will be an integral part of a herbarium specimen collection that will become a valuable part of the Coastal Ecology program at Washington Academy.

Providing students access to valuable resources like herbarium collections allows students to study the material even when the field resources are out of season.

When the season is right, students head out into the field to sketch and record field observations and collect water quality samples and plant specimens with the goal of assessing water quality at several local beaches and in the Machias River.

Teacher Caroly Coryea reports, “There was a noticeable improvement in the quality of the sketches by students with the new tools and the students became more and more comfortable collecting water quality samples and analyzing field data with the marine science kit and microbe hunter kit.This provision of watercolor pencils was such an integral part of this grant and to see students sketching collaboratively was very inspiring.”

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Snowshoes

Noble Middle School MSAD 60 and Noble Middle School values outdoor education and alternative learning strategies so the purchase of snowshoes with this grant was an exciting addition.

For the 2021-2022 school year, PE teacher Sam Lenson decided to use them with the enrichment time as a sort of pilot this year and will plan on including the snowshoe unit in the 2022-23 school year.

Overall 8 students were part of the pilot group. The students who participated chose to do so based on their interest in being outside and enjoying physical activity.

One student said, “It was really fun! I loved going out in the woodsy area and seeing the birds.”

Moving forward, snowshoeing lessons will be part of the Lifetime Fitness Unit in the physical education curriculum. They will learn how to dress for the climate so they can appreciate the outdoors during winter months without being cold.

Sam took every chance to open up the doors for opportunities to get outside. He offered snowshoeing and other outdoor activities during the enrichment block throughout the year. In addition, he partnered with the health teacher, Sarah Loranger to combine classes on Wednesdays. Together they planned “Wellness Wednesdays” often including outdoor walking, scavenger hunts and team building activities. Students were thrilled for the opportunity to get outside. They enjoyed participating in something a little different from the normal day.

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Samuel L. Wagner Middle School

Wagner Middle School used the funds to purchase snowshoes for the physical education classes. It has been a desire to incorporate outdoors activities for students in the winter months, and this was a great way to start that plan.

They purchased 25 sets of snowshoes, enough for each PE class to have a set for every student. Since students range from grades 5-8, they purchased a variety of sizes, so regardless of their grade, they could have a pair that fit them appropriately. Many students come from a low socioeconomic background and do not have the opportunity to participate in such life-long activities as snowshoeing, nor the resources to purchase their own.

Principal Nick Raymond explained, “This grant allowed all of our students the ability to use them at least once, with a high level of interest in getting outdoors and doing something they have never done before. Our students and families are very appreciative of the generous support to help them learn such a fun way to be outdoors during the winter months and enjoy themselves in ways that they have not experienced in the past.”

Maine Environmental Education Association Mini-Grants for Outdoor Learning