Wednesday, Jul. 01, 2009

Durham Elementary Creates Outdoor Learning Center

By Julie Greene

Contributing Writer

Two days before school let out for the summer, fourth-graders at Durham Elementary worked busily in the school garden.

In teams of two, three or four students, some planted flowers, some washed pea gravel or moved paving stones and some set tree stakes.

For nearly a year, science teacher Debra Heath and a committee of students, parents and community partners have planned the garden’s renovation and expansion as an outdoor learning center.

Over the past several weeks those plans have been realized.

"We brainstormed what we wanted to do with the garden," said Heath of the still on going project. "Initially, we wanted to make our garden more accessible to children in wheelchairs, making it ADA compliant. The paths and pavestones we had were too bumpy. We also wanted to make the garden an inviting place for people to come and enjoy nature."

Heath praises James Landscaping for donating the garden’s design and Cassie James, co-owner and Durham Elementary parent, for serving as project manager. The company also provided a good portion of the construction work.

"Mrs. Heath had a goal that we would come up with a plan that would support the TEKS (Texas Education Knowledge and Skills) for K through fourth [grade] and have access for all students," James said.

Heath said the school district requires that every grade level have an outdoor education component for its science program. The garden’s design specifically targets the TEKS scope and sequence requirements for each grade.

First-graders will have a vegetable garden, second-graders will study wild flowers for their prairie studies, third-graders will focus on trees and fourth-graders on regional flowers that attract wildlife.

Rotting railroad ties and old stepping stones that parents placed for the school’s first garden nearly 14 years ago have been replaced by paved walkways, a new sprinkler system, new paving stones and a series of ground-level and raised planting beds.

"Initially the garden had only ground level beds, but we’ve had trouble with run-off so we have some raised beds that should help with drainage and help water flow throughout the garden," Heath said.

Where possible, the school salvaged plants that had been planted by students in previous years.

Mike’s Garden Center and James Landscaping provided discounts on new plants and soil preparation.

Divided into several sections, the outdoor learning center features a rose garden, a tree area, a butterfly and hummingbird garden, a bird garden, a vegetable garden and a "five senses" garden.

The garden’s centerpiece, an old flagstone patio and arbor, is now surrounded with climbing vines that over time will create a natural cover.

Funds have came from a variety of sources, including proceeds from the science department’s annual Super Science Store and Lego Robotics workshops Heath led. The project received donations from the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization and Carroll Independent School’s District’s "True to the Core" program, which provides funds to worthwhile projects that support student learning.

Students from every grade level and some of their parents have participated on some level with planting and mulching. Life Skills students hung and filled thistle bird feeders.

"With her vision and guidance the students have not only learned about plants, soil and water, but also what they do when they put their minds to it," James said.

Work will continue over the summer, including at least two, possibly three Eagle Scout projects focusing on three raised vegetable beds and other sections of the garden. By fall, Heath said, she hopes that the garden will be a good education tool for students. The outdoor learning center will remain at the campus when Durham Elementary School relocates to its new building on White Chapel Boulevard in 2011. The students will still be able to enjoy the garden when they return as fifth-graders at Durham Intermediate School.