BOULDER: Come see the new renewable energy outdoor classroom in Boulder Valley School District on Friday. It isn’t finished, but that’s on purpose.

“We don’t have wind power display, but we have poles with connections for students to make models windmills every year,” said Beth Stade, a parent volunteer who has been integral in getting this outdoor classroom created. “We don’t have a water feature, but we do have a solar powered water pump to make one.”

“The outdoor classroom is designed to grow and change with school, not be a fixed monument,” Stade explained.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held 8:30-9:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at Aurora 7, the shared campus of High Peaks Elementary and Boulder Community School of Integrated Studies (located at 3995 Aurora Avenue in Boulder).

Media are welcome to attend!
(Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the ceremony begins
at 8:30 a.m. and check in at the school office.)

The Renewable Energy Outdoor Classroom is an outdoor laboratory to explore science, nature, and renewable energy. At its heart is a giant sundial of handmade tiles from all 600 students at the school.  The boulders are arranged in a Fibonacci pattern. The tables illustrate the rock cycle with native stones, and demonstrate color’s effect on heat. Constellations, fossils, animal footprints, and the Pythagorean Theorem can be found among the rocks. 

“The Outdoor Classroom and Mosaic Sundial are exciting new learning environments that were made possible by the generosity and creative energy of our parent community,” said Lora De La Cruz and Phil Katsampes. “The children will experience nature in an atmosphere of purposeful learning and artistic beauty. We are thankful to the parents who made this possible!”

De La Cruz is principal of High Peaks Elementary School and Phil Katsampes is principal of Boulder Community School of Integrated Studies (BCSIS). Both BVSD focus schools, High Peaks and BCSIS share the same facility, a building that was formerly a BVSD neighborhood school called “Aurora 7.”

The renewable energy outdoor classroom came about when parents and teachers at the school began looking for creative ways to explore solar energy and outdoor science education several years ago.  Parents at the school raised money through grants from GOCO Colorado (lottery funds), Boulder Arts Council, Lowes, Home Depot, and with donations from Resource, the Rocky Mountain Institute, and many volunteers. 

Learn more about the project at http://a7outdoorclassroom.blogspot.com/