BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Christina Barbaro, a second grade teacher at Sangaree Elementary who wrote both grants, said, “I am so excited to be able to bring learning to life, get the students outside to experience nature and integrate nature into our curriculum.”
Barbaro wrote the grants to secure funding to create the school’s Learning Outdoor Lab (LOL). The LOL will provide students with the opportunity to gain hands on experience in a garden to investigate insects, specifically butterflies.
The school will purchase tools, toolboxes, topsoil and flowers that attract butterflies, such as Milkweed, Lantana, Salvia and Butterfly Bush. The school also will purchase stones, fencing and concrete to create a walkway.
Explaining why she wrote the grants, Barbaro said, “The best learning experiences happen when students are immersed in a hands-on project. Students will be fully involved in the process of creating a butterfly garden and learning about butterflies in their natural habitat, using garden based learning to form connections and cultivate a sense of responsibility for their physical environment.
Students will learn the importance of research, correlating with English/Language Arts standards, and insects, correlating with science standards. This project will increase the sense of ownership of each students’ learning, while promoting self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment.”
Most of the LOL is crafted from recycled materials. The benches and flower boxes were created using pallets. Other pallets will be painted, decorated and used as walls in the outdoor space.
In addition to creating the LOL, Barbaro said the school is joining Monarch Joint Venture as a registered location to help save the Monarch Butterfly, an endangered species.
“Receiving the money from Lowes and Bosch made the LOL possible and I am so grateful for their generosity,” said Barbaro.
- Nearly Century-Old St. Stephen School To Be Torn Down - March 20, 2024
- BCSD Approves $10K Bonus For Special Education Teachers - March 19, 2024
- WakeUp Carolina Celebrates Moncks Corner Grand Opening With Ribbon Cutting - March 12, 2024
Recent Comments