POLAND — RSU 16 had its first annual “Drop Everything and G.E.O. (Get Everyone Outside) Day!” The day was a huge success! Students and teachers in all five buildings integrated outdoor learning into the daily lessons in some way. Students were observed participating in nearly every content area outside. Research supports the many benefits of outdoor learning, including improving focus and academics, increasing cooperative learning and social interaction, improving physical and mental health, providing natural teachable moments in a real-life setting, and fostering an appreciation and love for nature.

Jess Harvey, 2nd grade teacher at Elm Street School, has been instrumental in helping to bring the vision of outdoor learning to fruition in RSU 16. Jess and other RSU 16 teachers participated in outdoor learning sessions through The Ecology School to develop a vision and progression of outdoor learning in RSU 16. Jess stated, “Great things happen when teachers have time together. The Get Everyone Outside (G.E.O.) initiative held a casual lunch meeting over the summer for members to connect and share successes and challenges related to outdoor learning. One of the outcomes of the meeting was the idea to host a “Drop Everything and Get Everyone Outside Day” across the district to promote outdoor learning. Outdoor learning is for everyone, and we are proud to see how many educators took their students outside for learning that day.” Working with Curriculum Director Jill Mathieu, a representative at each school was set up to help promote and support outdoor learning in their buildings, and a plan was put in place for the first annual “Drop Everything and G.E.O. Day.” Through grants, we have acquired outdoor learning seating and other materials to get students started with learning outdoors. RSU 16 hopes to continue to grow outdoor learning so it becomes a natural part of the curriculum.