Outdoor Learning Spaces Enrich Student Life
Students at H.M. MacDonald Elementary School in Antigonish learn about Terry Fox in their outdoor learning space, funded previously by the provincial and federal governments. (Contributed)
Schools across Nova Scotia are benefitting from new or enhanced outdoor learning spaces.
Over the past year more than 100 projects, from outdoor classrooms and gardens to picnic spaces and games areas, have been developed at schools across the province.
“Outdoor time and physical activity are critical to keep children and youth engaged and excited about learning,” said Becky Druhan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. “Outdoor classrooms, gardens, picnic and sport areas built by schools across the province mean students get outside, move around and build connections with each other and the environment.”
Positive outdoor experiences benefit students’ mental, emotional and social development. Evidence also shows that when young people are outside, they are more likely to be physically active, which helps with individual growth, academic achievement, school connectedness and sense of belonging.
Joint federal and provincial funding of $1.2 million supported the projects, which include:
- an outdoor nature trail at Gaspereau Valley Elementary School, Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education
- an outdoor classroom constructed of natural material at Oceanview Education Centre, Cape Breton Regional Centre for Education
- a ball play area and outdoor amphitheatre upgrades at Petite Riviere Elementary School, South Shore Regional Centre for Education
- a covered outdoor classroom with accessible walkway at Maple Grove Education Centre, Tri-County Regional Centre for Education
- accessible picnic tables for more than 40 schools across the Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education
Quick Facts:
- this funding is part of $7 million in federal and provincial funding under the COVID-19 Resilience Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program
- in September, the new Physical Activity Framework for Nova Scotia Schools took effect, creating conditions for students to move more and sit less in school
- Nova Scotia’s $1 billion, multi-year school capital plan is building new schools, investing in current schools and ensuring the system is ready to meet the demands of population growth
Additional Resources:
Physical Activity Framework for Nova Scotia Schools: https://curriculum.novascotia.ca/physical-activity-framework-resource-page
Other than cropping, CNS photos are not to be altered in any way