Outdoor courses enrich curriculum
Teresea Senge
Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: News
It has been nearly two years since Capital began utilizing an outdoor area for a number of classes. Merl and Margaret Primmer donated 74 acres of land to Capital University for the uses of learning and preservation. This land, known as The Merl and Margaret Primmer Outdoor Learning Center, is located in Logan, OH.
The land encompasses many different ecosystems, including a wetland, where students are currently studying and analyzing the water quality.
Recently, floating docks have been built in the wetlands to help students better their understanding of the life there. There is also a blue heron rookery within the wetland, where baby blue herons are being born.
With the floating docks, students can get a better look at the rookery and record findings on their progress over time.
When the Primmer property was donated to Capital, students were encouraged to suggest ideas and plans they would like to see. Since the land was donated, there have been eight classes that have performed study and research at the Primmer property.
The first class to incorporate this outdoor class experience into its curriculum was an environmental science course in the fall of 2007.
Some of the research being done on the property is to classify the different ecosystems and what types of life exists there. Most of the information studied concerns long-term monitoring of biological and geological processes.
One of the goals for the Primmer property is to include the surrounding community. Capital faculty members have formed a partnership with a Columbus City School program called ScienceWorks.
According to Capital Magazine, this program will get the schools in the Columbus area more involved with the Primmer Property.
The Primmers donated money as well. Capital Magazine reported that they donated $20,000 for equipment and costs and $900,000 dollars for a biology professorship. It will be known as the Primmer Distinguished Professorship, given to a professor here at Capital. This is the biggest donation made in Capital's history.
The Merl and Margaret Primmer Outdoor Learning Center has been and will continue to be a great learning experience for years to come.
tsenge@capital.edu
The land encompasses many different ecosystems, including a wetland, where students are currently studying and analyzing the water quality.
Recently, floating docks have been built in the wetlands to help students better their understanding of the life there. There is also a blue heron rookery within the wetland, where baby blue herons are being born.
With the floating docks, students can get a better look at the rookery and record findings on their progress over time.
When the Primmer property was donated to Capital, students were encouraged to suggest ideas and plans they would like to see. Since the land was donated, there have been eight classes that have performed study and research at the Primmer property.
The first class to incorporate this outdoor class experience into its curriculum was an environmental science course in the fall of 2007.
Some of the research being done on the property is to classify the different ecosystems and what types of life exists there. Most of the information studied concerns long-term monitoring of biological and geological processes.
One of the goals for the Primmer property is to include the surrounding community. Capital faculty members have formed a partnership with a Columbus City School program called ScienceWorks.
According to Capital Magazine, this program will get the schools in the Columbus area more involved with the Primmer Property.
The Primmers donated money as well. Capital Magazine reported that they donated $20,000 for equipment and costs and $900,000 dollars for a biology professorship. It will be known as the Primmer Distinguished Professorship, given to a professor here at Capital. This is the biggest donation made in Capital's history.
The Merl and Margaret Primmer Outdoor Learning Center has been and will continue to be a great learning experience for years to come.
tsenge@capital.edu
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