At St. Martin's Episcopal School in Atlanta, Georgia, children are "learning about science and developing a passion for the natural world," says early childhood science lab teacher Elizabeth Beckwith.
A greenhouse, wooden storage shed, and several garden beds outline the play area where children laugh with delight over the antics of creatures from their animal collection.
A few years ago, the school received a generous donation to create a lab to enrich students' understanding of science. An outdoor classroom, now certified as Georgia's first Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom, was ideal for fulfilling their goal.
There, children plant beans, study the creatures that live on-site, and engage in learning activities appropriate for their age. They can dig in the dirt in a specifically labeled area or make music or art near the gazebo's Gathering Area. A few steps away, children Reach New Heights by climbing a tree with teachers' assistance.
A teacher helps St. Martin's children prepare to feed mallards.
