Blair, SC (WLTX) -- It's a classroom without desks, walls or even a ceiling, and in one day, volunteers in Fairfield County built an outdoor classroom for McCrorey-Liston Elementary School students.
"Wow, this is wonderful," said Rodric Woodard, a fifth grader. "I heard they was making a reading garden."
Fifth Grader Travius Williams said, "I think it's a great idea."
The students were excited to see the dirt, shovels, and hardworking hands outside of their school. They made for a day of satisfaction. "We never had nothing like this, and our school will enjoy it. And it will make them proud of what work they have done," Woodard said.
About 30 volunteers from South Carolina Electric & Gas, the Shaw Group and Westinghouse built the outdoor classroom for the McCrorey-Liston students in just one day.
"It was always a vision of mine to have a reading garden," said Principal Chandra Bell. She says the volunteers overcame budget cuts and shoveled in creativity to create a new learning environment for her students. "A place where they can explore, plant flowers, where they can get in touch with nature, and the teachers can be engaged in maybe reading to the children," she said.
"I'm looking forward to working with science out here. I'll be able to learn better," said Woodard, "How animals interact with things like abiotic and biotic factors."
Williams said, "You can learn more science and do experiments outside about the nature and weather."
"[It's a] very wonderful idea, and we appreciate it. And we will be using this a lot," said Woodard. The project costs $5,000, donated by the three companies who participated in the three companies who volunteered their time to help.
11/18/2009 8:19:01 PM
