Washington Elementary in Sandpoint literally puts the outdoors into their outdoor education. Across the street from the main building, adjacent to the play yard for the school, in a field, is a large tent that houses their Outdoor Education Classroom. Inside the tent is their learning lab and tree stump seating for every student from each classroom who visits the tent regularly – even in the winter when the students have to wear their winter coats and galoshes.

Ms. Hallie requested STEM supplies from the Idaho Lottery. In her request, she said, "At Washington Elementary we prioritize outdoor learning as a vehicle for physical and mental health and STEM learning. The requested dramatic play learning tools will be used by Kindergarten through 4th grade reaching over 250 students. Joining me in our cozy learning tent surrounded by plum trees and open skies, each individual class attends our Outdoor Education course at least once every week for 40 minutes (multiple classes join a second weekly session)."

Here are some of the impacts this Classroom Wishlist will accomplish for the students at Washington Elementary:

Use STEM methodology to build shelters and habitats for each animal

Make ecological connections that all creatures rely upon one another via the food chain for balanced population dynamics

Apply knowledge and use natural items and puppets to dramatize how the food chain works

Strengthen literacy skills using reading resources to find answers

Use critical thinking skills to solve imbalanced food chain and genetic pattern scenarios

Understand the significance of Idaho’s natural resources by making connections through dramatic play

Building a collection of dramatic play items and growing their library will enhance the program and deepen scientific inquiry lessons. These tools will be used in a specific ecology learning block as well as used year-round for many other learning opportunities.