Outdoor learning ramped up in Alameda during the pandemic as a way to get students back to school sooner. In some of the older school buildings, adequate ventilation and physical distancing that met CDC standards was a cost prohibitive barrier to reopening. The pandemic forced schools and entire districts to re-evaluate the meaning of a traditional classroom, and for teachers to utilize outdoor space for classroom teaching. Looking outside of the four walls of a school classroom was a necessity in the wake of a public health crisis. In milder climates, such as the climate in Alameda, an outdoor classroom with appropriate accommodations can be utilized for the entire school year.
Wood Middle School is one of the schools in Alameda that already had the “bones” of a garden, but needed the enthusiasm of Science teacher Marci Nettles to revamp the program. Ms. Nettles, who has been teaching for 28 years, has a vision that involves moving her General and Environmental Science classes outside more frequently. Her experience has shown that “students thrive in outdoor settings where they can build resilience, appropriate risk-taking skills, and creative problem-solving skills. Being out in nature also helps students balance their emotional and mental health.” For middle-schoolers, learning the skill of gardening can also materialize into summer jobs and ignite a future interest in environmental studies.
While donated materials are appreciated, the greatest need for the outdoor classroom at Wood Middle School is a donation of money to purchase furniture that will withstand weathering and frequent use. The proposal in Ms. Nettles Outdoor Classroom GoFundMe outlines the exact use of donated funds, including furniture, a storage shed, drip irrigation materials, and general gardening supplies.
Please visit Marci Nettles’ Outdoor Classroom GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/create-an-outdoor-garden-classroom
