Taking Learning Outside the Classroom: SMS Students Visit The Ecology School
During the week of September 28 - October 2, Sanford Middle School seventh graders took their learning outside the classroom to Saco, where they attended an overnight field trip at The Ecology School at River Bend Farm. There, students spent three days participating in hands-on, collaborative lessons focused on environmental stewardship and conservation on The Ecology School’s unique, sustainable outdoor campus.
Plotted abutting the Saco River, the sustainability of the school is directly tied to their mission, according to Drew Dumsch, President and CEO. “Our goal is that every kid in the state will get to spend time outdoors,” stated Dumsch. Not only do they teach that a sustainable model is the ideal for the future, but also that anyone can be an active participant in it right now.
For Sanford Middle School students, this mission materialized as students broke into daily interactive, outdoor lessons. On Thursday, one group focused on food systems and waste reduction, learning how their food gets from farm to table on their way to test soil in the facility’s compost area. Some of the food students ate during the week was even grown by farmers at the school, helping this lesson come full circle.
Ruby, a first-time educator at The Ecology School, noticed students embracing the home-grown ingredients and nutritious meals, observing some saying, “I’ve never felt this full before,” or “I’ve never eaten this healthy before.” In agreement with this, SMS students Makenzie Buzzell, Logan Michaud, and Ava Gosselin all commented on the quality of the food and how much they enjoyed it. Each day featured a discussion of the “waste-o-meter,” which tracked how much food waste students produced during meals. In doing so, they taught students to be more mindful of what they put on their plate, and more importantly, what they throw out.
Collaboration and responsibility were reinforced during mealtimes as well, where students were assigned to set up or clean up crews in pursuit of the illustrious Golden Spatula, an award given to the table who most effectively worked together. Diana Allen, Life & Environmental Science teacher at Sanford Middle School, saw these family-style meals serve as a conduit for student connection. She was pleased to witness students interacting with peers outside of their typical friend groups - with some who were at first disappointed if they were not sat with their best friends later happily sharing about the new friendships they made. SMS student Benjamin Hoctor emphasized this aspect of the trip as well, saying, “not only were the lessons fun and interactive, but we all learned to socialize a little more.”
The SMS staff hope that students will bring these habits and attitudes back to school with them, creating a community-minded culture and integrating their hands-on knowledge to better the Sanford schools community.
Ms. Allen sees the importance and meaning in these trips for students, and the significance isn’t lost on parents either, she claims. At a parent meeting they offered prior to the trip, one parent shared that her child had been looking forward to visiting The Ecology School since they started the sixth grade. Likewise, many students from the previous year’s trip enjoyed the experience so much that they even returned for camp during the summer. One student, Grant Payeur, gave a bit of insight into what makes students enjoy the trips so much. "Once I got there, they made me feel at home - the food, dorms, and the lessons were all good in their own way!" he shared enthusiastically.
This opportunity was possible for Sanford Middle School students in part from funding through Maine Outdoor School For All (MOSFA) and the generosity of The Libra Foundation, The Ecology School alongside a contribution from Tom’s of Maine, as well as a combination of Sanford donors. Sanford School Department extends its gratitude to the Sanford Schools Legacy Foundation for garnering support for this year’s trip, as well as Edredge Lumber, the Gerard & Gertrude Genest Gift Fund, Kristen & Mary Ross Estate, the Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club, Sanford Alumni Association, Lawrence Furbish, Barbara Sutcliffe, Miroslaw Baldyga, Barbara Ferraro, and Karen MacDonald.
Some donors visited The Ecology School during the week to witness their support take form firsthand. Steve and Laurel Harrison attended Thursday’s lunch and learn on behalf of the Sanford-Springvale Rotary club. The couple, whose passion for environmental conservation coupled with their experiences working in education, found this trip especially meaningful. Drew Dumsch led the visitors on a tour of the campus, followed by lunch and engaging hands-on activities with the students. During lunch, dozens of students rushed over to shake hands with Steve and Laurel and thank them for their part in sponsoring this experience. Laurel spoke highly of our SMS students, stating that they were “articulate and friendly kids,” and adding that “[it] speaks well of the school.” One student, Blake, spoke with Steve and Laurel during outdoor free play time. He thanked them for their involvement and chatted about his experience at The Ecology School. “This is something else,” he told them with a grin.
Alex Grindle, Director of Programs & Rentals, echoed similar praises, saying, “the Sanford students represent the town really really well,” and highlighted the students’ readiness to show up and jump in. She also praised the commitment of SMS staff who chaperoned and supported students throughout the week, claiming that they “represented the community so well.”
For Sanford Middle School seventh graders, this trip to The Ecology School was an opportunity to build a sense of shared responsibility for the world around them, take ownership of their learning, and make meaningful connections between their education and the world beyond the classroom. As they return to school, it is our hope that they will carry these lessons with them - not only as students, but as thoughtful and responsible members of their community, supported in their strengths and interests and empowered to drive positive change in the world around them.
