May 7, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:Megan Overman, Public Information Officer
Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District
817-251-5503

Timberline Elementary partners with Lowe’s to enrich science program

Timberline Elementary School has been awarded a $5,000 Outdoor Classroom grant from Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. Timberline will use the funds to enrich their science education program by further developing an outdoor area where students will study plants and plant cycles, as well as rocks, soil and water.

The grant funds are being used to enhance the development of four outdoor classroom areas and to buy supplies such as classroom sets of gardening tools, educational materials and for overall beautification of the area. Picnic tables and chairs also have been purchased for the area for student use. TES first-grade teacher Michelle Johnson said that the vision for these outdoor classrooms is not only to make them educational, but also to provide a leisure area where students can enjoy the outdoors. She envisions the area as a place where students can read, eat lunch or even take in a non-science lesson on days when the weather is pleasant.

Johnson added that the “Natural Classrooms” will enrich students’ science education experience. Many hands-on science opportunities will be available to students and will reinforce the district’s science curriculum. Students will be engaged in science experimentation to correspond with concepts they are learning in the classroom.

“Being awarded this grant shows that Timberline has a huge commitment to educating our students,” Johnson said. “Science does not have to take place in the classroom. Science involves everyday, real-life experiences. We are excited to be able to provide these experiences for all of our students.”

The integration of science into other core subjects also will take place in the outdoor classrooms. Students will learn about units of measure, weathering and erosion, journaling and graphing, map reading, cardinal directions, composting, research techniques and species identification. The project is designed to have a positive impact on academic performance.

Timberline is one of the only elementary schools in the state to receive such a grant from Lowe’s. The school has plans to celebrate the completion of the project in May with a dedication ceremony.