Nicole Samuel, Charles Beattie, Charlie Smith and Stayce Dowlen

The team’s innovative teaching idea, “Outdoor Environmental Center,” is focused on engaging students in a better understanding of the environment in which they live. Students will use weather stations and tools to investigate real world scenarios, exploring the conditions that are suitable for sustaining animal and plant life and determining differences in air quality. Students will also have the opportunity to examine other factors in nature, such as rocks, minerals, soil and plants that have changed over time due to natural occurrences – while also uncovering these types of natural events. A mock environment will be designed to create a hands-on learning experience for students, to ensure they develop independence, student autonomy and greater understanding of the connection between nature and their daily lives.