The Outdoors: One School’s Untapped Classroom

Grant Spotlight

In the fall of 2014 Brandon Doub, 5th grade teacher at Happy Hollow Elementary, received a grant to design, create and install an outdoor classroom area at the school. Mr. Doub writes, “A school’s landscaping is part of an ecosystem that includes students and the school community. As such, a school’s landscaping can and should be viewed as an outdoor classroom oasis, attracting countless organisms, each a rich opportunity to teach students about the complex and fascinating ecosystem that we are all a part of! Outdoor education extols the virtues of experimental, kid-centered, not-so-orderly learning that fosters keen observation, critical and independent thought, and the achievement of life skills.”
His project continues to evolve, and students recently took a day long field trip as part of the project. Stops included SoilMaker, West Lafayette’s Waste Water facility and the Tippecanoe County Extension Office.
Mr. Doub says, “Lots of folks from the community are assisting us with our research and have volunteered to come alongside us have invited us to visit each of their places to learn more about the various topics we are looking into.”