Pre-school to 6th grade students from the Du Phare school of the city of Deschambault, located in the region of Quebec, Canada, took part in the W5 project with the objective of spending more time outdoors, reducing the use of electronic tools, and learning about biodiversity.
The school already had a furnished outdoor classroom, but it was rarely used. After consulting teachers and students, they decided to invest in teaching and utility materials, such magnifying glasses, birdhouses, small dry erase boards, nature books, seeds, plants, carts, and floor cushions – in order to enhance the outdoor classroom conditions and encourage everyone to spend more time outside.
"Our aim was to get students out of the classroom, without screens, and to focus on themselves, nature, and how to take action for the environment. Thanks to Alcoa's support, we were able to purchase 60 cushions and 60 dry erase boards, as well as scientific observation tools which will allow three classes to go outside to learn simultaneously. Thank you for allowing us to enjoy the outdoors more often!" - Anna, Charlotte, Claire, Clémence, and Léa, student members of the Eco-Committee at Du Phare school
Outdoor Education is a significant contributor to the Sustainable Development Goal 3 - Good Health and Well-Being as it is scientifically proven that spending more time outside in a natural environment can help reduce stress, improve self-esteem, and increase feelings of happiness. Moreover, multiple studies strongly suggest that contact with nature enhances academic performance, personal development, and pro-environmental attitudes.
As part of the W5 project, the school also installed bird feeders and nesting boxes in the school yard and created a pollinator garden so students could observe and monitor the animal, insect, and plant species surrounding them. With help from volunteers, the Eco-Committee organised a Spring-Cleaning Day for the whole school in order to remove weeds and trash from around the facility and to raise awareness about the amount of waste left in nature.
"As a principal, I could only support the Eco-Committee’s actions, knowing how much the environment concerns our youth. The members of the committee are working to mobilize other students and staff to respect the environment. In this context, the idea of using our outdoor classroom came up. With the financial support, we were able to purchase what we needed to make the most of the nature classroom and capture the interest of our students. A beautiful project piloted with a masterful hand by a committed teacher!" - Nathalie Morin, Principal of Du Phare School
The Alcoa W5 project activities at Du Phare School support the following SDGs:
