Construction on New Outdoor Classroom at Harding University Partnership School Approved
By the Santa Barbara Unified School District
The Santa Barbara Unified School District Board of Trustees approved the construction of a new outdoor classroom at Harding University Partnership School.
The project transforms a play space into an outdoor classroom space. The project's architect included a Dimensions Educational Research Foundation team that helped create a “Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom Conceptual Plan.” This project is a proof of concept and an initial phase of the Early Learning Plan "Project H.O.P.E+S” — funded through a grant awarded to SBUSD from First 5 of Santa Barbara. This long-term grant ultimately aims to provide 21st-century learning environments at all elementary schools.
In addition to the outdoor classroom, the grant includes the development of STEAM labs which will work in concert with the outdoor classrooms. With one supporting the other, students will learn through inquiry-based, hands-on, and collaborative learning to increase student outcomes across the district.
“We are excited to see this project move forward,” said Veronica Binkley, principal at Harding Partnership School. “This project will help us innovate new ways to engage students with the latest methods to teach students science, technology, engineering, art, and music in a variety of settings both within the STEAM classroom and in the outdoor classroom.”
The project was approved at the Tuesday, November 15, school board meeting. The vote awarded the $395,346 construction project to Hanly Engineering Corp. The project was paid for by $100,000 from the First 5 Early Learning Plan Grant, $100,000 from a Women’s Fund Grant, $70,000 from SBUSD California State Preschool Program, $20,000 from the Santa Barbara Education Foundation, $16,000 from HUPS Unrestricted Lottery Account, and $89,346 from Developer Fees (Fund 25).
“We want to thank the amazing Principal Binkley for her vision and relentless support for student learning, along with gratitude for our staff and community partners for making this project possible,” said Dr. Hilda Maldonado, the district’s superintendent. “We look forward to seeing this outdoor classroom enhance learning at Harding. As we seek ways to meet the needs of all learners, a project like this is a model for enriched learning opportunities.
“Students who are learning a second language, and students with disabilities, benefit from hands-on learning experiences that generate rich language and develop deep knowledge. This space will achieve such a learning environment.”
The project will begin within the week before Winter Break, and the demolition of the current space will be completed while students are not on campus. The construction will take 60 days to complete.
7 Comments
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Dec 09, 2022 10:50 AMThis is brilliant. Children who have access to such settings are smarter, happier, and healthier. Nature is a wonderful teacher! Language will not be a barrier. All of the available research points to the success of such areas in enhancing student learning back in the classroom.
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Dec 08, 2022 06:12 PMHilda, are you thinking playground for ‘all comers to fool around with stuff’, or educating kids to succeed in the next century here? You do know the competition is very high globally, and we’re going to need to keep educating them (think math, science, reading, writing) to have a chance at competing? Aw, never mind…
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Dec 09, 2022 05:29 AMBut I will agree that what we see online about school programs are pablum compared to what I'm imagining. I thought there was some more intensive work going on in regard to school gardens, as my water system designer years ago was involved with schools. I still, even more, support kids learning outdoors, hands-on. They should be applying more classroom learning outdoors. There's so much engineering work to do outdoors -- and so much poetry to play with!
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Dec 09, 2022 05:12 AMBasic, I guess you have no idea of the amount of biological and mathematical and other scientific specialties and hand-crafts that go into designing and creating a water system that includes human needs. I'm sorry your view is so limited.
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Dec 08, 2022 10:13 PMThe West Side is the most densely populated area in Santa Barbara, small lots with mostly tiny yards surrounded in concrete You under estimate the value of usable outdoor space. As it is now, most is covered in asphalt. Perhaps you would prefer kids on electronic devices.
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Dec 08, 2022 08:36 PM6:12 - Says a repeat science denier.
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Dec 08, 2022 05:13 PMI’d like to understand where exactly this will be situated on their campus.