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