Students propose outdoor classroom and sensory garden, request $250,000 grant

Students from the district presented a sustainability design challenge and urged the board to support a conceptual outdoor classroom and connected sensory garden to boost student well-being and hands-on learning. The students said the project would pair an outdoor classroom with solar panels to power iPads, lighting and irrigation systems and be available to teachers and the community.

"We asked for $250,000," the presentation said, describing a grant packet prepared for a mitigation fund to move the concept beyond the planning stage. The team said the packet includes renderings created in Revit and documentation of student-led work, and that they do not yet know whether the application will be funded.

Student presenters described goals that tie to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: "good health and well-being" through outdoor learning spaces, and "clean and affordable energy" via solar panels. A student explained the classroom "is mainly going to be used for like teachers to bring their kids out there" and that it could also be open to community members.

Teachers and staff who advised the project said the packet was prepared with student photos, design renderings and specifications, and that additional smaller components could proceed even if the larger grant is not awarded. Board members praised the students' presentation skills and suggested the board might send a letter of support or consider highlighting the project in future meetings.

The presenters said they applied for a mitigation-style grant and expect grant award decisions approximately two months from the presentation; they said smaller phases of the project would continue regardless of the grant outcome.