Window of Opportunity Grant Project
Union Middle School
455 River Rd, Clinton, NC 28328
Sampson County
Project: Living Classroom
Application Request/Project Summary:
Living Classroom
Project Overview
The Spartan Green Team Courtyard Project is a collaborative, student-led initiative designed to transform the school courtyard into a vibrant, sustainable, and multi-functional learning environment. Featuring herb, flower, and plant beds, the courtyard will provide hands-on educational opportunities while offering a beautiful and relaxing space for students, staff, and visitors. This project will integrate the expertise of local landscaping professionals, community volunteers, and the creativity of our students to ensure the space is thoughtfully designed and effectively implemented.
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Narrative
The redesigned courtyard will serve as a "living classroom," where students can explore scientific principles, artistic expression, and sustainable practices in a real-world setting. By incorporating diverse plants, thoughtful design elements, and sustainable features such as composting and water conservation systems, the project will teach students the importance of environmental stewardship.
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A key feature of this initiative is its collaborative nature. Local landscaping experts from the community will partner with the Spartan Green Team to provide professional guidance on design, plant selection, and best practices for long-term maintenance. This partnership will empower students with both the technical skills and confidence to create a space that reflects their ideas and aligns with North Carolina middle school curriculum standards.
In addition to educational benefits, the courtyard will serve as a hub for wellness, mindfulness, and community engagement, offering opportunities for relaxation and connection to nature.
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Purpose of the Spartan Green Team Courtyard Project:
The Spartan Green Team's courtyard project aims to transform the school courtyard into a vibrant, student-designed outdoor learning environment. This space will feature a diverse array of herb, flower, and plant beds, fostering a hands-on connection with nature while integrating educational opportunities across multiple subjects. The project will align with North Carolina middle school standards by:
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Science: Encouraging exploration of ecosystems, plant biology, and sustainability concepts. Students will observe life cycles, understand plant adaptations, and investigate environmental stewardship practices.
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Math: Applying measurement, geometry, and data analysis skills to design garden layouts, calculate spacing for plant growth, and monitor plant health metrics like growth rates.
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Language Arts: Enhancing communication and writing skills through journaling, reflection, and creating informational signage for plants and garden areas.
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Social Studies: Exploring agricultural practices, local history, and the global impact of sustainable practices on communities.
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Health & Physical Education: Promoting wellness by teaching the benefits of gardening, healthy eating, and physical activity through hands-on planting and garden maintenance.
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Art: Inspiring creativity by incorporating student artwork in the design and signage, making the courtyard a visually engaging space.
The project empowers students to contribute meaningfully to their environment, build interdisciplinary knowledge, and cultivate pride in a space that reflects their ideas and effort.​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Project Site Photos
KNCB Visit/Pre-project
Project Development & Completion Photos
Woo Grant Project Summary
The generous support provided through the WOO Grant has transformed the Union Middle School Courtyard into a dynamic Outdoor Environmental Learning Lab that serves approximately 380 students and staff. This innovative outdoor space provides students with hands-on opportunities to explore nature, study pollinators and native plants, investigate environmental science concepts, and develop a deeper understanding of sustainable practices. The courtyard has become an extension of the classroom, fostering curiosity, environmental stewardship, and meaningful connections to science and the natural world.
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Beyond academic learning, the courtyard plays a vital role in supporting the social-emotional needs of our students. As a dedicated wellness space, it offers students a peaceful environment where they can connect with nature, reduce stress, build positive relationships, and strengthen their overall sense of well-being. Teachers and counselors utilize the space for restorative conversations, small-group activities, mindfulness exercises, and social-emotional learning experiences that promote self-awareness, self-management, and healthy peer interactions.
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WOO Grant funding has also supported the development of several innovative learning areas within the courtyard. Students participate in outdoor investigations and inquiry-based learning experiences aligned to North Carolina science standards. Teachers are receiving professional development to effectively integrate outdoor learning opportunities into their curriculum, including lessons focused on ecosystems, pollinators, plant life cycles, and environmental sustainability.
The grant has further enabled the creation of raised garden beds and student-led planting projects where students gain firsthand experience with agriculture, food production, and environmental responsibility. An outdoor classroom provides a flexible instructional space that encourages collaboration, creativity, and engagement across content areas. The courtyard has also become a gathering place for families, community partners, and school events, strengthening connections between the school and community while promoting wellness, learning, and environmental awareness.
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The impact of the WOO Grant extends far beyond the garden itself. It has created a safe, engaging, and restorative learning environment that supports academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors.
