Outdoor learning

When students from Wildwood Middle School in Florida were seen roaming the woods near the Rinker Materials Center Hill quarry on a school day, onlookers might have been tempted to question why they weren’t in class. But this was just like any other school day – only it was outside.

It was the first day of classes at the new Sumter County School District Science and Nature Centre based at the quarry, and the students enjoyed every minute.

After learning about the science centre, the mine, safety rules and their role in the ongoing project, the students got to work collecting and identifying plants. They were divided into four groups, each with a Rinker Materials scientist or employee leading the way.

“The best part of class today is climbing through the woods, looking at different kinds of plants,” says Olivia, one of the students. “I’ve seen lots of things that I’d never seen before. I would love to come back and bring my family.”

“Ultimately, the goal is to have a nature centre and park that the whole community can use,” says Tracy Bryant, Rinker Materials’ community relations manager. “In the meantime, it’s great that students can use the three former quarries at the Center Hill mine as a classroom. They’ll use math, science and engineering to help restore and reclaim several acres of property. After all the planning and hard work last year, it’s exciting to see the Science/Nature Centre sponsored by Rinker Materials and the Sumter County School District become a reality.”

Students from Wildwood will help by studying and listing the plants, wildlife and insects they find on the property. Other high school students will then be able to create a landscape design for the classroom area.