By Siobhan Lopez

Since launching in the summer of 2021, the SNHU Office of Sustainability has made university-wide impacts not just on campus but throughout the entire SNHU community and most recently at several public schools in Manchester, New Hampshire. With the mission of empowering SNHU learners, staff, and faculty to advance a sustainable organization and culture and share knowledge and successes, the Office of Sustainability connected with several city schools to help them integrate environmental learning in their curriculum.

In 2023, the Office of Sustainability launched an initiative to build out a network of outdoor classrooms at three Manchester public schools: Southside and Hillside Middle Schools and Webster Elementary School. Made possible by a grant from the Bosch Community Fund, the “EcoSTEM Outdoor Classroom Network” links Manchester students to the SNHU Arboretum. In addition to providing much-needed outdoor learning spaces, the classrooms include environmental sensors and monitors, allowing students to take ownership of their school’s environment and generate meaningful learning opportunities.

“When we spoke with the principals, they were absolutely thrilled that we were bringing in these resources for their schools,” said Pamela Beckvagni, assistant director of sustainability programs at SNHU. “This is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience the outdoors, experience nature and learn about the environment.”

On October 25, students at Southside Middle and Webster Elementary schools rolled up their sleeves alongside Office of Sustainability staff and student worker “Eco Reps” and other SNHU employees utilizing their Volunteer Time Off (VTO) to install materials needed for the outdoor classrooms, including picnic tables, chalkboards, and raised flower beds.

“One of the functions within the community impact team is eliminating barriers to education,” said Nicole Cate, community impact program manager at SNHU. “Partnering with the Manchester community specifically gives us a ton of pride, and these kinds of projects allow children to have a new experience and can further their education in different ways, not just inside the classroom, but outside the classroom.”

Roselyn Ramos is a senior studying environmental science on campus and one of several Eco Reps working in the SNHU Office of Sustainability to assist with the outdoor classroom installation at Southside Middle School. The project was an opportunity for her to reflect on her own grade school experiences and bring her passion for environmental studies to younger students.

“We had an outdoor classroom at my elementary school, but it was hard when we transitioned to middle school and we didn’t get as much time outside,” Ramos said. “The fact that we’re here at a middle school and giving them that opportunity to be outside more is really great.”

“A project like this is really unique and a great opportunity for students to get outside the classroom and do some experiential learning,” Beckvagni said. “When I was growing up, I didn’t get that opportunity and I think this is wonderful for some of those students who need to move around, get some fresh air and see the outdoors.”

Weather stations were also installed at the locations, allowing students across the community to draw on data from any site, collaborate with peers, and carry authentic learning and problem solving into high school and college, strengthening the local STEM pipeline.

For Ramos, data collection is part of her everyday work as an SNHU Eco Rep. She says it’s just some of the experience she’s been able to gather to prepare her for a future career doing similar work.

“We also get skills in public speaking,” Ramos said. “As an Eco Rep, I’ve done a lot of public speaking trying to educate others about waste centralization.”