Our school is celebrating a major victory! Thanks to a generous $60,000 grant from The Big Rock Foundation, we'll soon break ground on a brand-new outdoor covered classroom—an innovative learning space designed to inspire creativity, collaboration, and hands-on exploration for all students.
Currently, our campus lacks a dedicated outdoor instructional space—something teachers and students have long hoped for. The new covered outdoor classroom will meet this need by providing a flexible, year-round learning environment for all content areas, from math and science to English language arts, social studies, art, and music. The space will serve not only daily classroom instruction, but also extracurricular programs such as the school’s science club.
The structure will feature a 24' x 36' concrete pad supported by ten sturdy posts and a roof made of either shingles or metal panels. Perimeter bench seating will be added and an outdoor whiteboard cabinet will be installed on the adjacent security wall. A large coordinate grid painted directly onto the concrete will give students a hands-on way to explore math and science concepts. The classroom will be built in the courtyard beside the current building, becoming a centerpiece of a developing outdoor learning center. (Image is AI Generated)
This long-term vision includes raised garden beds, a greenhouse, and eventually a non-circulating hydroponics garden. Paired with our existing automated weather station students will gain access to real-time weather data directly on their Chromebooks, enriching instructional units on weather and climate.
This project would not have been possible without the exceptional leadership and expertise of Susan Merrell, 5th Grade Science and Math Teacher, and Kelly Riley, 4th Grade Science and Math Teacher. Together, they crafted a compelling grant proposal grounded in student need, instructional innovation, and a clear long-term vision for outdoor learning. Merrell and Riley bring with them a wealth of knowledge and over 25 years of experience leading STEM and math-integrated project-based learning. Their dedication to empowering students through real-world, inquiry-rich learning experiences shines brightly in this project.
The school also extends heartfelt appreciation to Mrs. Kristin Ferree, whose expertise in community outreach and volunteer management—along with her coordination of volunteer efforts, donation requests, and community build days— have played a key role in supporting the grant-writing process and the future build.
Thanks also to Principal Christy Propst, a dedicated educational leader with more than 25 years of experience in K–12 schools. Her ongoing vision for cultivating enriched, student-centered learning environments has been instrumental in championing and supporting this initiative from its earliest stages.
What an exciting time to be a Dolphin at Morehead City Elementary School!