Re-Purposing Perth-Andover: The Education Factor
OPPORTUNITY for Perth-Andover To Be An Education Model
By Francine St. Amand
Cam Collyer Program Director – Evergreen
Creating Outdoor Classrooms is a rapidly increasing trend in the public school system and there are several foundations which will support such projects (Evergreen Foundation, MAJESTA Trees of Knowledge Competition, TD’s Friends of the Environment Foundation to name a few.)
From Globe and Mail (Sept 23, 2013) “ Schools looking outside to inspire students”:
“The Simcoe County District School Board, north of Toronto, will build outdoor classrooms in all 85 of its elementary schools….. about $8000 per school provided by the Ministry of Education…”
“The research is clear: Getting outside motivates children to learn, keeps them attentive, builds their imaginations and improves classroom behaviour, all of which can improve test scores. This is on top of the obvious physical benefits”.
With the grim reality of NB’s low literacy rates of the general population, including high school graduates and the recent heated debate about the “No-Fail” policy, Perth-Andover has an excellent opportunity to make a difference. It’s almost too good to be true that the area targeted for repurposing, in Andover, is located adjacently to two local schools. The “Park” could easily serve as an Outdoor Classroom.
In additional to being a learning site for students, the rest of the community could participate and benefit from learning activities. The Civic Centre/Recreation Department, also located in this area, could host a range of activities and programs for the general community in this Park. The possibilities are limitless and can evolve over time.
Do you agree?? Next issue will discuss ENVIRONMENTAL factor.
curriculum can be connected to a learning activity in the great
outdoors!! This Wordle presents some of the subjects and concepts
that can be explored in a classroom in the Park.
STEEPLED:
Social, Technological, Economical, Environmental,
Political, Legal, Education, DemographicsSTEEPLED is an acronym for a conceptual framework/tool used by organizations to plan, measure and evaluate. Starting out as PEST in the 1960’s, the model has evolved with variations over time: STEP, SLEPT, STEEP, PESTEL, PESTLE or LEPEST. It is a tool used to find out the current status and position of an organization or individual in relation to their external environment and current role. This analysis tool is relevant to any project that an organization undertakes. For the purpose of this exercise I am going with a recent variation (2013), STEEPLED. All the factors are very relevant and correspond well to the subject of this analysis.
The concept of using the Village’s flood-prone areas as a multi-purpose Naturalized Park was proposed to the Village Council last fall.
Go to Blackfly Gazette to check out these articles for more details:
Issue # 37: “Tree Talk: Telling the Story of the Village”
Issue # 39: “Possible Uses for Flood Prone Sites on Andover Side of Saint John River”
