OUTDOOR EDUCATION AT CARVER ELEMENTARY IN RICHMOND HILL, GA

Carver Elementary’s Principal’s Impact Statement

At Carver Elementary, Outdoor Education is more than an initiative—it’s a vital part of who we are. It shapes the way we teach, how our students learn, and how we grow together as a school community. Through our commitment to place-based learning and environmental literacy, we have seen measurable gains in academics, behavior, and school culture.

After just one year of implementing our schoolwide Outdoor Education initiative aligned with the EcoSchools framework, our 5th grade science scores improved by 18%. Students engage deeply with NGSS-aligned content by using the natural environment as a living classroom. They participate in real-world investigations, contribute to citizen science projects like iNaturalist and the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, and apply scientific reasoning to explore local ecosystems. Their ability to collect data, analyze findings, and understand complex environmental systems has grown significantly.

Outdoor learning has also led to positive shifts in student behavior. Office referrals have decreased, and teachers report increased focus, cooperation, and self-regulation following time spent outdoors. For many students, especially those who struggle in traditional settings, nature has opened doors to success through exploration, movement, and hands-on learning.

Most importantly, our students have developed a strong and lasting connection to nature and a clear sense of stewardship. They take pride in documenting and protecting the biodiversity of our campus—home to over 240 documented species. They confidently identify local flora and fauna, advocate for sustainable practices, and engage in meaningful conversations about conservation, pollution, and habitat preservation. Stewardship is not just something they are learning—it is something they live.

Our pursuit of EcoSchools Green Flag certification reflects our deep belief that environmental education is essential to preparing thoughtful, informed, and compassionate leaders. At Carver Elementary, we are proud of the transformation we’ve seen and the stewards we are raising—one outdoor experience at a time.

Karen Smith, Principal

Dr. George Washington Carver Elementary

THE MISSION OF CARVER’S OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAM

Nurturing Stewardship and Conservation through Curiosity, Creativity, and Community

Nestled in the Ogeechee River Basin on Georgia’s coast, G.W. Carver Upper Elementary’s Outdoor Education Program provides all 675 fourth and fifth grade students with 45-minute immersive outdoor learning experiences grounded in place-based, student-centered exploration. Rooted in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for science, our curriculum nurtures scientific habits of mind, authentic inquiry, and lifelong environmental stewardship. Carver is a 2025 National Wildlife Federation EcoSchools Green Flag Certified School. 

Our program is deeply aligned with the North American Conservation Education Strategy (AFWA), the NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence, and the Georgia State Wildlife Action Plan, ensuring students develop environmental literacy through real-world investigation and action. These frameworks guide our commitment to equity, cultural relevance, and community-connected environmental learning.

Learning at Carver is driven by student curiosity and local natural phenomena. From the freshwater wetlands of our bioswale to the coastal pine forests that surround our school, students conduct field-based investigations using professional tools and scientific protocols. Their work contributes to ongoing citizen science and long-term biodiversity monitoring projects, with data shared through platforms like iNaturalist and Adopt-a-Stream.

But science isn’t the only outcome. Through sit spots, nature journaling, unstructured exploration, and outdoor recreation (like compass navigation, casting, and shelter building), students build resilience, self-awareness, and joy. We intentionally incorporate risky play, mindfulness, and team-building to support the whole child—socially, emotionally, and physically.

Our students aren’t just learners—they’re naturalists, changemakers, and caretakers of the ecosystems they study. Whether identifying invasive plants, engineering rain garden solutions, or advocating for wildlife protections, Carver students connect learning to real impact. These efforts support our school's goal of earning the EcoSchools USA Green Flag Certification, and reflect our belief that youth should have a voice in shaping a sustainable future.

We are committed to equitable, inclusive access to outdoor learning. Every student, regardless of background or learning need, has the opportunity to experience the wonder of nature and see themselves as part of it. Carver’s Outdoor Education Program is a transformational learning environment where joy, wonder, inquiry, and stewardship guide students toward a deeper understanding of themselves, their community, and the world.

"If students are to understand how professional scientists function in their workplaces, they must have the opportunity for hands-on experience in the forests, wetlands, coastal regions, and watersheds in which scientists conduct research." -AFWA, The North American Conservation Education Strategy: State Science Standards and K-12 Field Science Practice

“The most powerful science learning takes place when students observe, explore, and investigate their own schoolyard ecosystems.”-NSTA – Outdoor Science Instruction: Making It Work

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