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Potter Burns School
Pawtucket
Address:
973 Newport Avenue
Pawtucket, RI 02861
US
Telephone: (401)729-6250
Email: lawsond@psdri.net
Website: http://psdri.net
Our students live in crowded inner-city neighborhoods in Pawtucket with very little access and understanding of nature and the powerful negative effects of industrialization.
We, the faculty at Potter Burns School along with countless number of volunteers created an "outdoor classroom". This outdoor classroom on the grounds of our school provides an accessible laboratory for hands on observation, experimentation and exciting learning activities for our students.
K - 1: observe and record seasonal changes. Gr. 2: life cycles of plants and animals. Gr. 3: animal habitats and characteristics. Gr. 4: relationships of plants and animals through pollination. Gr. 5: Earth's biomes by creating mini-ecosystems in the garden Gr. 6: plant and animal cells.
Our work is not complete however. This year we propose to remove a section of asphalt (30' x 30"') on the Pullen Ave side and create a gathering area with picnic tables, a vegetable garden edged it with evergreens. On the Carter Ave. side we propose to create a wilderness area filled with indigenous plants, boulders for sitting made of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock, and simulate a true "natural space".
Each child at the school is participating in the digging, planting, watering, weeding, and joins in the excitement and ownership of their garden. Parents and community members participate in the construction and maintenance. In addition, businesses have donated toward the continuation of this project with cash and supplies.
We, the faculty, believe that education and modeling is key to introducing our students to the "joy" of outdoor play. Our Life Science Curriculum immerses students in the discovery nature, and builds an awareness of environmental issues. This project will encourage students to get outdoors, grab a shovel and enjoy nature. Along with their parents they take pride in themselves, their school and their community.
Doris Lawson
