The Problem
Hawlemont Elementary School's outdoor classroom. Last year the Deerfield River in Charlemont MA flooded washing away the school's outdoor classroom.
Our Plan
Most students in 6th grade have been a part of their school community since they were in preschool. Our outdoor classroom is an important part of our learning space. This space was washed away by all the flooding we had over the summer. As 6th grade started their capstone project they realized the outdoor space was a place they would like to work on and bring back to their community which is used by the entire community in the center of town. Once 6th grade came up with the problem they wanted to fix, they worked on cleaning up the debris from the flooding. After that they measured the perimeter so they could design a “blueprint” of the area. They then worked in small groups discussing what they and the community would want in an outdoor classroom. Students also came up with a list of materials and cost. They knew they had a zero budget and tried to brainstorm how we could get materials without purchasing them. In January they presented their design to the town. The town brought the design to a meeting. The community was impressed with their ideas and approved their design which is now being displayed at the town office. 6th grade is now on step 3. They are taking action. They know this project will not get done by the end of the school year. They plan to work with this years 5th grade and present their plan so they can take it over next school year for completion.
Themes Addressed
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Collaborate
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Community
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Community Enhancement
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Compassion
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The Benefit
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People
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