I love the way that my students and the students within my school are enthusiastic about learning in a hands-on environment! The students at my school are excited and driven to create an environment that fosters learning in the real world. At every opportunity I have presented them, they have chosen a direct hands-on approach to learning from concrete sources. They are eager to get into their new outdoor classroom and work diligently on maintaining the lush native gardens we have created so far!
The level of enthusiasm about the outdoor classroom has inspired me to offer the students new and exciting ways to get involved.
We have spent lots of time and effort creating the space and several students have asked to be involved with maintenance! I have been reluctant to allow them to help with the mowing and weed eating because of the hazard presented by gas equipment, with the advent of cordless electric lawn care I believe I can finally give my students the responsibility they have been asking for thereby granting them even more ownership of their outdoor classroom!
My Project
This mower provides the students the freedom to do the maintenance and upkeep of their classroom quickly, quietly, easily and most importantly safely. Previously I have not allowed them to help with general upkeep because of having to handle gasoline and oil, however with cordless electronics the process becomes clean and simple! The other issue previously has been the noise associated with gas equipment, now with such quiet equipment the maintenance can be done during school hours during our allotted campus beautification and garden club time!
This also allows for us to build the proper storage garage and most importantly a solar charging station that will encompass several new aspects of the science programs I work closely with!
This solar charging station and garage space will be our school entry into renewable energy and its discoveries as well as a long term goal of district wide implementation of the concept!
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Krautmann and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.