Structures for Environmental Learning
Cleaning up our outdoor courtyard to make it a useable space
During the spring of 2015, 2 advisories of 6th grade boys cleaned up all the trash and began pulling weeds in the courtyard area (shown above). This space had at one time been used for an outdoor classroom and growing area, but had been abandoned for at least 3 years. 20 students worked together over several days to clean up the garbage, remove unwanted plant growth, and decide how to better arrange the space to be able to fit more students and more raised beds. Students plan to periodically pick up trash in this courtyard area, but ultimately hope that as the students begin to use the space for gardening the students and neighbors will do their best to keep the area clean and the trash out.
Beginning to grow vegetables
During the winter of 2015, students began growing vegetables in the classrooms so that when the weather changed and the courtyard was prepared, they could move their crops outside. They have containers of radishes, squash, parsley, peas, mung beans, dill, carrots, and chives started. We plan to plant potatoes, onion, our sprouts and other seeds outside as soon as the weather breaks so that students have the opportunity to harvest before the end of the school year. In the photo above you can see squash, radish and mung bean plants growing. Special thanks to Great Kids Farms for donating seeds, sprouts and soil to get us started.
Painting pavers with Green School messaging
In 2016, a 7th grade girls advisory with 11 students decorated pavers as stepping stones for our outdoor garden space. These 11 students hope that their painted pavers will help to make this outdoor classroom a cheerful place to work. They hope that when other students see their painted stones they will think about their actions and how they impact the environment.
Reusing Cartons and Bottles as Planters for Native Plants
In 2015, a 3rd grade girls advisory with 8 students, reused juice cartons and soda bottles that were common recyclables in their homes as planters. The girls cut down the bottles to an appropriate height and filled them with soil. Students planted native plants that will be moved into the school gardens when the weather gets warmer. This action is also linked on the Reducing Solid Waste page.