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Window of Opportunity Grant Project

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Olive Chapel Elementary 

1751 Olive Chapel Road, Apex, NC

Wake County

Project: Growing Green Future - An Outdoor Learning Garden for Environmental Stewardship 

Application Request/Project Summary:

Olive Chapel Elementary

Growing Green Futures: An Outdoor Learning Garden for Environmental Stewardship

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Project Overview

This project will create a sustainable outdoor classroom garden on our elementary school campus to enhance campus beautification while providing hands-on environmental education opportunities for approximately 1,000 students in grades PreK–5.

 

The garden will serve as a living laboratory where students can learn about plant life cycles, ecosystems, sustainability, and recycling practices through direct observation and experiential learning. The project aligns with North Carolina’s commitment to environmental preservation by fostering environmental awareness, responsibility, and stewardship among students at an early age.

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Expected Student Learning Outcomes

Through structured garden investigations and hands-on activities, students will:

  • Apply the scientific method by asking questions, making predictions, collecting data, and drawing conclusions

  • Investigate plant life cycles and measure plant growth using age-appropriate tools and data charts

  • Analyze how organisms interact within sustainable ecosystems, including soil health, water conservation, and pollination

  • Use engineering design processes to plan, build, and maintain garden structures and composting systems

  • Explore recycling and composting systems as solutions to environmental challenges

  • Strengthen mathematical skills through measurement, graphing, counting, and comparison of growth data

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Scope of Work

Our school already has a designated garden area; however, the space has been neglected over the years. This project aims to revitalize and repurpose the existing space by reusing as many materials as possible from the original garden while preparing the area for a new sustainability-focused outdoor learning environment.

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The project will include dedicated areas for North Carolina native plants and a vegetable garden. Produce harvested from the garden will be shared with a local community kitchen to help support individuals and families in need. In addition, a student and family gardening club will be established to help support, maintain, and sustain the garden for years to come.

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The scope of work includes:

  • Designing and constructing raised garden beds using the engineering design process

  • Planting native and seasonal plants to support ecosystem and biodiversity studies

  • Installing a composting station to model sustainable waste management practices

  • Creating STEM-focused signage explaining plant biology, ecosystems, sustainability, and recycling processes

  • Integrating garden investigations into grade-level STEM lessons aligned with North Carolina educational standards

  • Engaging students in ongoing data collection, observation logs, journaling, and reflection activities

Project Site Photos

KNCB Visit / Pre-project

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Project Site Areas

Project Development & Completion 

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WOO Grant Project Summary

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The generous support provided through the WOO Grant has transformed our school garden into a thriving Environmental Learning Lab that serves all 975 students and 40 teachers in grades K–5. This outdoor learning space will provide hands-on opportunities for students to explore nature, observe pollinators and native insects, study native plants, and learn about sustainable gardening practices. The garden has become an extension of the classroom, fostering curiosity, environmental stewardship, and meaningful connections to science and the natural world.

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The WOO grant funding also has enabled the development of several innovative learning areas within our outdoor space. Teachers will be trained this summer on lessons that incorporate the science curriculum on pollinators, plant life cycle, and farming practices.

Students participate in an Experimental Outdoor Lab where they engage in scientific investigations and inquiry-based learning. To support literacy initiatives, we created a StoryWalk® and Outdoor Library that connect reading with nature, encouraging students to enjoy books while exploring the garden environment. These spaces have strengthened cross-curricular learning by integrating science, literacy, and outdoor exploration.

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In addition, the grant helped establish a vegetable garden maintained by our Garden Club, where students gain firsthand experience with farming, agriculture, and food production. We are looking forward to our harvest season around August! An outdoor classroom now provides a flexible learning environment for all grade levels, allowing teachers to bring instruction beyond the traditional classroom walls. The garden has also become a welcoming gathering place for families and community members, creating opportunities for social connection while celebrating learning, wellness, and environmental awareness. The impact of the WOO Grant extends far beyond the garden itself, enriching the educational experience of our entire school community.

 

Marcia Ferreira

S.T.E.M. teacher,  MEd. M.A.T. & NBCT 

 

For additional learning, visit Olive Chapel Elementary's Outdoor learning website HERE.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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