A ribbon cutting ceremony for a new outdoor classroom at Harding University Partnership School was held May 10.

The project transformed one of the school’s play spaces into an outdoor classroom. The project’s architect included a Dimensions Educational Research Foundation team that helped create a Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom Conceptual Plan.

The 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 Santa Barbara Union School District (SBUSD) from First 5 of Santa Barbara.

The long-term grant ultimately aims to provide 21st-century learning environments at all elementary schools. 

STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) labs are also being developed to 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.

“With the outdoor classroom newly opened, we already see a shift in student play to small group collaborative learning around exploration, building, and creating,” said Principal Veronica Binkley. “UCSB is conducting a research project around the impact that this space has on our young students. We look forward to seeing this become a model other schools can use,”

Construction on the outdoor classroom started in December but was delayed due to the rainy winter. 

“We are excited to see the outdoor classroom come together,” said Superintendent Hilda Maldonado. “We look forward to seeing how Harding uses the outdoor classroom to inspire future scientists, engineers, artists, and scholars.”