Eco Lab opening kicks off outdoor education program at Belfountain PS
By Anneleen Naudts

Heather Kendall, her son Matthew, 5, Esmee Taylor, 4, and Kara McIntosh explore Belfountain Public School's newly opened eco lab. The lab is a key component of the school's new outdoor education program.

Though rescheduled twice due to weather, Belfountain Public School (BPS) opened its state-of-the-art Eco lab Friday.

The lab, located in the school's recently added extension, is part of a new school-wide outdoor education program. This program will engage students in learning the Ontario curriculum under the canopy of an ecology focus, said principal Michael Walmsley.

To mark the occasion, a native-inspired opening ceremony was held.

Mayor Marolyn Morission and Councilor Richard Paterak attended the event, along with parents, members of the community, and of course the students.

Wearing masks representing an array of animals, Grade 3 students recited an acrostic poem, which spelled "Belfountain," and Grade 4 students acted out The Old Turtle and the Broken Truth, a book by Douglas Wood. Grade 6 teacher Pamela Gibson led a traditional smudging ceremony, symbolizing the coming together of the old and new parts of the school.

Grade 6 teacher Pamela Gibson led a native smudging ceremony, which had student drumming along with her.

Walmsley said he felt "a great deal of pride" upon opening the lab. He also expressed feeling pride in the ability of students and teachers to wonderfully perform during the opening ceremony.

Following the ceremony, students and parents were given the opportunity to tour the lab.

Building the lab was accomplished with the help of teachers, parents and members of the community, said Walmsley. It contains LCD projectors, computerconnected microscopes, terrariums, aquariums, and a plethora of hands-on teaching-learning resources.

The outdoor education theme, designed for kindergarten to Grade 6 classes, presents curriculum components in "an authentic, engaging and relevant (way)," said Walmsley.

For one class, the program entails applying math skills to the Credit River. The school's salmon hatchery and release program, in partnership with the Credit River Conservation Authority, requires students to measure and monitor the river's water flow. Trading in desks for hipwaiters, students will use hands-on measuring to successfully release the fingerlings.

Students of Miss McGuire's Grade 1 class wore bird masks while posing with birds from the eco lab's interactive bird display.

In a room connected to the lab, filled with snowshoes and backpacks containing outdoor exploration essentials, students will be able to get ready to go to the school's outdoor learning grounds.

The learning grounds, which will be developed as soon as weather permits, will include vegetable gardens (planted and nurtured by pupils), butterfly gardens, birdhouses, fitness stations and trails, play areas, and a natural amphitheater.

Aside from creating a schoolyard like no other, Walmsley said the real beauty of the learning grounds is that this environment will be accessible to community residents during non-school times, giving new meaning to "community school". The program's ultimate goal is to develop learners who learn from and through their heads, hands and hearts, said Walmsley. "And maybe, just maybe the greatest result will be for our planet - a future generation that appreciates the beauty of the interactions of all living things,with the knowledge and skills to ensure that our planet will thrive."

Grade 3 students recited an acrostic poem about the school's outdoor education program, spelling the word "Belfountain".