Shawnee High School opens outdoor classroom

Post date: Oct 20, 2014 7:24:31 PM

Officials plant tree to dedicate innovative new teaching tool

Wolf Lake — Oct. 20, 2014. Shawnee Community Unit School District 84 officials today joined representatives from the Office of Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, and other state and local officials to officially open the district’s first outdoor classroom. The classroom, housed at the Shawnee Junior-Senior High School, is one of the first of its kind in Illinois.

“This classroom is an important tool in helping students take lessons from their textbooks out into the field and put them to work,” said Simon. “This is a great way to make sure our students get hands on experience in science and environmental studies, which is key to building a skilled workforce of tomorrow.”

The result of a partnership between the district, Lt. Governor’s office, Illinois EPA and local businesses Lotus Naturescapes and Lowe’s, the outdoor classroom is one of the first in Illinois. The classroom will enable students to take environmental studies out of the school building, putting lessons to practical use.

“We can have nothing but pride in the efforts of our students involved in the design and construction of our outdoor classroom,” said Shawnee Junior-Senior High School Principal Mike Hanson. “They are using methods, techniques, and skills acquired in their agriculture, construction and science classes, and putting them into practical use on this project. They have really taken it to heart and are excited about providing something that future generations of Shawnee students will be able to use.”

Today officials planted a tree to open the new classroom. The classroom features several wooden benches constructed by students using materials donated by area businesses. Students will receive hands-on experience constructing vegetable plots and growing produce such as corn and soybeans. There are also plans to add a rain garden to assist with water retention.

The project is the result of state and local partnerships, with support coming from the Office of Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, the Illinois EPA, the Illinois departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture, the Union County Soil and Water Conservation District, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, the Environmental Education Association of Illinois, Ducks Unlimited and the Prairie Rivers Network, as well as local growers and producers.