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In partnership with Shipyard Elementary
School in Sydney, ACAP Cape Breton is developing an Outdoor
Learning Centre to provide students and teachers with an
opportunity to learn about various aspects of the environment
through interactive, hands-on education.
The OLC offers sites that include the following topics: Organic Gardening, Habitat Stewardship, Climate, Living Near Water, Active Living & Learning, and Water Conservation.
• Decomposition
• School Organic Garden
• Migratory Birds
• Habitat Biodiversity
• Climate Change
• Idle-Free Zone
• Weather Patterns
• Winter Weather and Habitat
• Pond Life Ecology
• River/Stream Ecology
• Active and Safe Routes to School
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Hydrologic Cycle
• Wastewater Treatment
Informing students about nature’s constant evolution through each season educates students on their surrounding habitat and ecosystems. It also inspires students to integrate wonder into science, creative energy into nature, and inquisitive, active outdoor adventure into the classroom. Workshops are offered to schools and interested organizations.
A Nature Elder is a person with an understanding of the integral sense of nature, who has an understanding of community, and who can comfortably support a teacher guiding their class through a "Living Curriculum".
In volunteering your time as a Nature Elder, you are strengthening the web of support for the implementation of the Outdoor Learning Centres. Nature Elders are our respected volunteers, parents, guardians and former teachers who will assist with a unique outdoor learning experience for Shipyard Elementary & other schools.
In offering your awareness of, and respect for nature you can help integrate a new sense of wonder into a child’s classroom.
If you are interested in joining us to learn more about Shipyard’s Outdoor Learning Program, please call us at 567-1628 or email sjohnstone@acapcb.ns.ca.”
ACAP Cape Breton intends to expand the Outdoor Learning concept with other schools in the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board.
Outdoor Learning focuses on integrating the surrounding natural habitat, environmental issues, active living, and our role of stewardship with the curriculum goals of the classroom. Our goal is to provide the basis to a “living curriculum”. Through the support of the Gainey Foundation, ACAP Cape Breton was able to meet our recent objective of creating interpretive signs to further connect outdoor learning with children and youth. The project provides long-term benefits as the signage created from the Gainey Foundation funds allows for years of educational guidance and prompts further learning of the surrounding environment.
Four signs were produced by Sketchline Design for various areas around the Shipyard Elementary school grounds, including the hummingbird & organic gardens, and the surrounding forest. The school’s youth were involved in the creative process of composing one of the signs. This sign was made for the school entrance to recognize the children’s connection to nature-based learning; it was created by collaging the artwork of children who use the trails and information of the Outdoor Learning Centre. ICON Communications and Research Inc. assisted with the design of these signs.
The creation of these signs is a visual and interpretive recognition of the sense of place created by Wentworth Creek, Shipyard Elementary and the forested area that surrounds it. Acquiring this cognitive learning through the thought process initiated by the Gainey Foundation signs is an excellent means of visual outdoor learning. It enhances the nature adventure by having youth retain new facts through visual stimulation.
The signage created through the generous donation of the Gainey Foundation is an excellent resource for youth as well as all community members.
For more information please contact us at 567-1628 or contact Stephanie Johnstone-Laurette, Outdoor Learning Coordinator sjohnstone@acapcb.ns.ca
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