Michael Becker talks about the
activities and at first it can seem like a huge amount of work
Outdoor Classroom Project
and a distraction from what we’re supposed to “cover.” As
classrooms transfer to a more project-based model, often
teachers discover that they actually have more time to work
CLEARING: What have been the most difficult issues in
with individual students in a one-on-one scenario because the
getting this project started?
class has a sense of purpose that keeps them moving forward
Michael Becker: One of the Permaculture Design Method and allows for a gigantic amount of differentiation. Again,
principles is to start small, and I highly advocate for starting with starting with small projects is valuable for future success. Starting
small projects that you can have initial success with. Trying to too big can lead to burn out on the project before it might yield
get space is often a hurdle, and if you can show that you have all that it can. It is crucial that teachers feel supported by their
managed a small space efficiently and generated student interest teams and administrators to get programs going.
and outcomes you’re more likely to be able to expand. It’s
important to have a sense of where you’d like to go in the future CLEARING: What are some of your other keys to
but be focused on what you can do today. success?
MB: It’s very important to build a parent and volunteer
CLEARING: What’s your approach to seeking outside
support network. Search out local expertise and interest to
funding support?
build a crew that can help in the heavy lifting often involved
MB: Funding is a tricky process. As funders get savvier in to begin even small projects. Create a sense of community
this area they are looking for a high chance of success. Grants and connection to the project through work parties and
that can show what you have already accomplished with limited celebrations. Try to get some press in the early stages to bolster
resources are more likely to be looked at closely than great ideas support and build pride about the work being accomplished.
with no basis of momentum. Be focused on developing your During our week of Outdoor School it requires around 1500
local base of support, both technical and financial, because that hours of volunteer effort to pull it off smoothly. Parents look
local and in-kind match is key to bigger grants down the road. I forward to the adventures their children will have at the middle
look at grants and project development in a pyramid model, the school level and are psyched to help out.
base of support has to be huge compared to those peak funders
at the top. The goal is to have it all set up and ready to go so the CLEARING: What does the future hold for the project?
funders can see that their resources will get the ball running.
MB: In the spring of 2008, Hood River County voters
graciously approved a bond measure that will allow for major
CLEARING: What impact does your program have on
refits and additions at all schools in the district. The Hood River
student behavior?
Middle School project directly connects with our five year effort
MB: When working with students, a new ethic has to be into sustainability science. Working with Opsis Architectural
created. What does it mean to be outside? Is this just another of Portland, the district has developed plans for a separate
recess? Clear expectations of music and science building on the middle school campus. The
what garden behavior looks building has been designed to achieve LEED Platinum levels of
like are crucial. We call it energy efficiency and uses cutting edge technology to produce
our “professional” behavior. a building that functions not only as a place to contain students
When we have visitors, or are but as a functioning scientific lab.
working outside in view of The district is entering into the “Living Building Chal-
other teachers, administrators lenge”, a design standard that would require the building to
and students there is a catch its own water, generate its own electrical needs on a
different behavior standard. grid-tied net-zero basis, and deal with waste water on site.
Kids are able to see the value, Students have been involved in the design process, working
freedom, and opportunity with architects and engineers, and will be the primary opera-
this can create for them, tors of the system once it is completed. This new building will
but it must be, to use a use many recycled components from an existing structure on
gardening term, “cultivated.” campus that had to be removed due to its age.
Attached to the new science classroom will be a grant
CLEARING: What do you funded, 1000 square foot glasshouse conservatory to increase
say to teachers who lab space and garden productivity. Students will be involved in
worry about their ability year round food production experiments including aquaculture,
to lead outdoor learning and passive solar season extension. Surrounding the new build-
projects like this? ing will be a highly productive perennial foodscape producing
Anne Marie Untalan, Michael Becker,
MB: Not all teachers
food and craft materials for projects through the school year.
and Ashley Sprouse, developers
In the plan there are new larger spaces for garden beds and an
of the HRMS Outdoor Classroom
have background or formal
increased footprint for the native plant arboretum.
Project.
training in these types of
Page 12 http://www.clearingmagazine.org Clearing - 2009 Compendium Edition
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