The scene at the Guadalupe School groundbreaking ceremony for its new STEM outdoor classroom. Photo credit: Guadalupe School.
Updated April 15, 5:07 p.m.
SALT LAKE CITY — Guadalupe school broke ground on its new STEM outdoor classroom Friday. The school is located in Rose Park, a Salt Lake City neighborhood.
The groundbreaking ceremony will was on April 15 at 9:30 a.m. at 1385 N 1200 W. The school invited members of the community to join.
The outdoor classroom will be 12,000 square feet. It will include a vegetable garden, an interactive music art display, a nature art area, and more.
The school highlighted the importance of bringing STEM education to its students. A majority of students at the school are learning English as a second language, and 95% of students live at or below the federal poverty level.
STEM education would help students get opportunities like the ones their more advantaged peers are afforded, according to the school.
Dr. Katrina Herd, the early learning center director at Guadalupe School, said the pandemic caused a loss of learning for students.
“We need as much instructional time as possible with our students to get them back on track. However, we also know that the quality of learning is improved when kids have time outside in nature, exploring and learning through hands-on experiences. Guadalupe School is excited to marry these two needs by focusing on what is best for the whole child through an outdoor instructional space,” Herd said.
The school said it would be bringing a STEM-focused curriculum to its students with its outdoor classroom.
The school said the outdoor classroom received support from the community and companies like Maverik, Boeing, and Union Pacific.
“We’re proud to help bring STEM educational outdoor experiences to underserved communities that are really going to benefit from it,” said Chuck Maggelet, president and chief adventure guide of Maverik.
The Rose Park location of Guadalupe School features all five programshat the school offers: in-home family support, toddler transitions, preschool, K-6 charter school, and adult education.