Knox Community Elementary School Officially Opens New Outdoor Learning Lab

Yesterday afternoon, Knox Elementary School celebrated the completion of a grant-funded project with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Outdoor Odyssey is a one-of-a-kind classroom that was constructed thanks to community collaboration and the dedicated efforts of motivated faculty members.

Second Grade teacher Jamie Shireman worked with Knox High School science teacher Marge Woods to obtain grants to fund the project. They were able to receive $11,000 worth of funding through the Starke County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Arrow Head Country RC & D Grant.

Thanks to contributions from the Markin and Sellers families, rocks were donated for the area and the structure was assembled. Knox High School seniors Charity Napierkowski and Lauren Crawford worked with Jeff Sullivan in the graphics arts department to create the metal sign at the top of the structure and the school mascot decal on the opposite side of the chalkboard.

Lauren Crawford, Charity Napierkowski, Jamie Shireman

Shireman shared what she had in mind when coming up with the idea for an outdoor learning lab. “My objective for this Outdoor Odyssey is for students to be able to come out into nature and learn.” Shireman explained, “I also want them to develop a sense of pride for their school in taking care of the outdoor lab. Since the Outdoor Odyssey has been done, classes have been coming out and using it.”

Construction stared in August and was completed in September. Elementary School Principal Glenn Barnes said that Outdoor Odyssey was built to last, stating that John Towe and other members of the maintenance department will cover and maintain the structure during the coming months, to guarantee it withstands Indiana’s winter weather and can be used for years to come.