Outdoor learning and environmental initiatives announced at The Jefferson School
The Jefferson School in Georgetown announced and dedicated a trio of educational initiatives related to outdoor learning and environmental stewardship.
First, the school joined with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Delaware Forestry Service to design and install a Schoolyard Habitat Project. Every student in every class, 107 students in all, worked with forestry volunteers to plant five forest patches with native trees and shrubs. The patches will serve as habitats and safe havens for animals and insects, rest stops for migratory and local wildlife, and outdoor classrooms where students can observe and learn. In all, students planted 14 species of native trees and 14 varieties of shrubs.
The idea for the habitat project came after the school joined Delaware Pathways to Green Schools. Jefferson's 43-acre campus, with nature and fitness trails, ponds, gardens and one observation beehive, is ideal for projects that bring learning outdoors. Pathways is a program that assists schools committed to becoming more sustainable, energy efficient and environmentally responsible. Pathways helps connect schools with partners that help suggest and define projects schools can implement. The program also helps provide subject experts in a variety of fields.
The program put Head of School Connie Hendricks in touch with U.S. Fish & Wildlife and Delaware Forestry personnel, and the schoolyard habitat project was the result. Next, the school is planning a floating garden for the big campus pond to enhance pond health and provide pond life with shelter and a rest spot. This is all part of Jefferson's commitment to nature-centered learning. To view the school's new webpage dedicated to outdoor learning, go to www.jeffersonschool.com/about-us/nature-explore-campus.
Second, the school announced that Bill Nelson has been hired as environmental education coordinator. Nelson's job will be to work with all teachers and staff to find ways to take learning outside. He will design, coordinate and help teachers implement hands-on projects that can take place in a variety of areas around the school's 43-acre campus. Nelson comes from Salisbury University where he served as environmental studies outreach and community coordinator, program specialist and green floor leader.
Last, the school announced that Spring 2017 Science Saturday will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 29. Children of all ages will have the opportunity to explore, up close and hands-on, the wonders of the world of science. More than a dozen participants representing a wide range of disciplines in the science community will attend to show, demonstrate and explore with kids the amazing things that happen in science. Among the hands-on exhibits are: STEAM projects, a NASA spacesuit, make-your-own bee nest boxes, live animals, a beekeeper with edible honeycomb and more. The Jefferson School is at 22051 Wilson Road, Georgetown. The public is welcome.
