Kramer speaks on opening of Boston Green Academy outdoor classroom
Photo: City of Boston Mayor's Office / Flickr
The Boston Green Academy opened a new outdoor classroom this year, one of 10 new raised-bed garden and freight farm programs at various Boston Public Schools.
The learning program puts students and teachers outdoors connecting with Mother Nature to enhance their educational experience, according to WBZ News. Instead of the usual desks and chairs inside a classroom, the Green Academy features outdoor picnic tables, community garden beds, and a hydroponic farm.
Superintendent Skipper said the academy creates a better learning experience for students by changing their environment and getting their hands dirty. "When students are getting the opportunity to apply what they are learning, we know from research that they are making connections," she said.
Dave Kramer, Director of Green Programs at Boston Green Academy, told WBZ News this is about putting kids out in nature, so they can experience hands on learning: “Our students grades 6-12 get a chance to get their hands dirty, see food grow, see flowers grow, see pollinators in action.”
Amilyah Lloyd, a sophomore, told WCVB news: “we’re stuck in the classroom all day, and if we come out here, we get some fresh air, we get to see the plants, and we get to clear our mind.”
“It’s more natural to make those connections. It’s more relevant stepping into some of the very jobs we are growing right here in Boston,” Mayor Michelle Wu said at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
