By Kirstyn Sterling, Outdoor Ed Program
One of the things that sets Weilenmann apart is our Outdoor Education program. We consider ourselves fortunate to have such a vast outdoor space to explore and learn from. We believe students learn best through hands-on, experiential opportunities that invite reflection, deepen understanding, build practical skills, and help shape thoughtful, capable individuals.
This year, our students have explored big ideas such as phenology, meteorology, outdoor survival, snow science, energy, solar power, the carbon cycle, ornithology, and environmental stewardship. While these topics may sound complex or difficult to grasp, they absolutely come to life when students can actively engage—by touching, experimenting, and learning by doing. For instance, why are these students carrying large logs? This was part of our “weight” experiment during the energy and carbon cycle unit. After learning about the carbon cycle, students selected heavy logs and discovered that 80–90% of the wood’s mass originally came from carbon dioxide in the air and water from rain. It’s one thing to hear that concept—it’s another to feel it in your hands. And yes, they had a blast along the way!
