Crowdfunding Campaign Launched For UHMS Outdoor Learning Spaces

Press release from Sustainable CT:

March 18, 2021

CREC University of Hartford Magnet School is working to build two outdoor classrooms with permanent chalkboards and student seating to make it easier for teachers and students to move their learning outdoors. The learning spaces will be located next to UHMS school gardens and will be used for science instruction and other educational experiences with connections to nature.

The project’s organizers are calling on the community to join this initiative by donating to a crowdfunding campaign or volunteering in the effort. If the campaign reaches its $5000 goal by its fundraising deadline of April 30, 2021, the project will receive a matching grant of $5000 from Sustainable CT’s Community Match Fund, which is an innovative funding resource for public, community-led sustainability projects. For project details and to donate, please visit: https://www.patronicity.com/project/uhms_outdoor_learning_spaces#!/.

“Besides the clear health benefits of being outside in the fresh air, there are many other benefits to outdoor learning. Our science lessons will be more authentic when students have the opportunity to observe actual phenomena in nature. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors can help students feel more calm and focused on their learning.” said Anne Shemkovitz, UHMS Theme Coach.

The project will be a community effort with volunteers ready to build and assemble the outdoor classrooms by the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

Sustainable CT is an initiative of Eastern Connecticut State University’s Institute for Sustainable Energy that inspires, supports, and recognizes sustainability action by towns and cities statewide. The Community Match Fund — supported by the Smart Seed Fund, Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation and the Connecticut Green Bank —provides a dollar-for-dollar match to donations raised from the community, doubling local investment in projects. Anyone can lead a project and ideas can be proposed at any time.

"Through the Community Match Fund, we aim to put residents at the forefront of creating positive, impactful change," said Abe Hilding-Salorio, community outreach manager for Sustainable CT. "Match Fund projects are community led and community funded, demonstrating the power of people working together to make change in their communities."

Have a great idea for a public project in your community? Contact Sustainable CT at hildingsalorioa@easternct.edu.

This press release was produced by Sustainable CT. The views expressed here are the author's own.