Volunteers from COSILoveYou joined students and staff behind Palmer Ridge High School on May 3 to work on a variety of projects at the Outdoor Learning Lab.
The Outdoor Learning Lab (OLL) is an experiential learning space that engages students in multiple disciplines, including science, construction, engineering, world languages, art, digital media, marketing, special education, math, and more. Classes use the space to engage and excite students with authentic learning experiences with a cross-categorical reach.
The OLL contains several different areas and gardens, including a pollinator garden, a cover crop demonstration area, an ornamental garden, a Colorado native plant garden, a transect area for year-to-year research, two greenhouses, and raised and elevated garden beds. PRHS carpentry classes built the greenhouses, raised beds, and seating for the OLL.
Palmer Ridge Science Teacher, Leslie Lantz says the OLL is an ever-changing and continuously growing space for students.
"Adults always ask me when the OLL will be finished, and I explain that it will never be finished because it is the “sandbox” for learning. The point is not to complete the lab, but for the students to have a space to learn, experiment, and apply their new knowledge and skills," Lantz said. "It gives them a sense of peace, inspiration, and something to look forward to when they are at school. It is certainly about more than just learning the required information," she added.
Around 40 volunteers attended the event on Saturday, where they, along with students and staff worked on a number of projects, including building a new rock and crevice garden, reworking the irrigation system, and planting annuals, as well as a new tree.
The future of the OLL will see a physics playground, world language wall, art display area, and a water feature designed by Palmer Ridge engineering students.
The Outdoor Learning Lab is funded solely by donations and grants. For more information, visit the Outdoor Learning Lab.
