We start our journey under the pergola, built from massive beams of western red cedar, in a picnic area where students and staff eat, relax, or hold classes in the shade. The learning trail begins here and winds throughout the courtyard as hundreds of foot prints from animals and humans, pine cones and leaves pass under your feet. Coyotes and deer crisscross the trail and a curious bear wanders around. Maybe she is looking for honey, or maybe her cubs … Attached to a fence post is a weather station. Temperature, wind direction and speed, humidity - our kids will learn about it all. The trail takes us to the Murphy learning tree. This massive red oak stump weighs over 1500lbs. By counting the rings, children can step back in time to dates that include the opening of Disney World, Man’s first step on the moon, and Martin Luther King’s "I have a Dream Speech."
A visitor to the DIGS may witness a music class sitting on the Stone Amphitheatre seats singing "America the Beautiful". Or watch small lizards scurry through the dry creek bed that runs through the center of the DIGS from two bridges built and donated to us from our local Cub Scout troop.
5000lbs boulders, donated from local quarries, representing the rocks native to Georgia adorn the back wall. Some of these boulders have small depressions that hold water for butterflies and birds that visit our insect garden. Flowering plants and shrubs provide habitat and food for a multitude of animals that visit the DIGS daily. As we pause to watch a hummingbird drink from a feeder or a butterfly pull nectar from a flower, 6 carved stone benches offer a welcome rest along the trail.
Famous quotes and words of support and encouragement are engraved upon these benches. Each bench holds a different message from a community that realizes the value quality education makes for our children’s future. As we walk past native trees and plants, bear tracks following deer, and human footprints cross our trail. Could these have been left by an ancient Cherokee Indian and a child walking hand in hand? Maybe our bear is the one being hunted instead! Only our imaginations can answer those questions! We look up and find ourselves at a gate. A horse shoe hangs from the beam as a sign of good luck. Before us is the educational heart of the DIGS Learning Project. From a rickety little raised garden bed grew our idea for a mini, Forsyth County, turn of the century, homestead farm. By using
reclaimed materials, from old farms and buildings slated for destruction, we reproduced the look and feel of a 100 year old barn yard for our kids. Since every farm needs a well to water the plants, we designed and installed a 500 gallon cistern that collects water from the school roof and stores it until the children and adults alike, lift the old cast iron pump handle. Water reuse and green living, through rain water collection and composting are a prominent feature within our barn. Edible plants encircle the farm.
Bartlett Pears, Granny Smith Apples, fig bushes and blueberries, to name just a few. While children at this age do not care how pretty or for that matter, how EXOTIC a plant is, they giggle with delight when they can pick their own fruit and eat fresh off the tree or bush. Two raised beds provide garden opportunities for children with disabilities.
Social studies classes can explore the Barn and various antique tools donated by the Forsyth County Historical Society. There are open areas for living history events and demonstrations such as blacksmithing and animal care. Early life in Forsyth County can be experienced without our children ever leaving campus.
Written by States Wing, DIGS Designer and Creator
A visitor to the DIGS may witness a music class sitting on the Stone Amphitheatre seats singing "America the Beautiful". Or watch small lizards scurry through the dry creek bed that runs through the center of the DIGS from two bridges built and donated to us from our local Cub Scout troop.
5000lbs boulders, donated from local quarries, representing the rocks native to Georgia adorn the back wall. Some of these boulders have small depressions that hold water for butterflies and birds that visit our insect garden. Flowering plants and shrubs provide habitat and food for a multitude of animals that visit the DIGS daily. As we pause to watch a hummingbird drink from a feeder or a butterfly pull nectar from a flower, 6 carved stone benches offer a welcome rest along the trail.
Famous quotes and words of support and encouragement are engraved upon these benches. Each bench holds a different message from a community that realizes the value quality education makes for our children’s future. As we walk past native trees and plants, bear tracks following deer, and human footprints cross our trail. Could these have been left by an ancient Cherokee Indian and a child walking hand in hand? Maybe our bear is the one being hunted instead! Only our imaginations can answer those questions! We look up and find ourselves at a gate. A horse shoe hangs from the beam as a sign of good luck. Before us is the educational heart of the DIGS Learning Project. From a rickety little raised garden bed grew our idea for a mini, Forsyth County, turn of the century, homestead farm. By using
reclaimed materials, from old farms and buildings slated for destruction, we reproduced the look and feel of a 100 year old barn yard for our kids. Since every farm needs a well to water the plants, we designed and installed a 500 gallon cistern that collects water from the school roof and stores it until the children and adults alike, lift the old cast iron pump handle. Water reuse and green living, through rain water collection and composting are a prominent feature within our barn. Edible plants encircle the farm.
Bartlett Pears, Granny Smith Apples, fig bushes and blueberries, to name just a few. While children at this age do not care how pretty or for that matter, how EXOTIC a plant is, they giggle with delight when they can pick their own fruit and eat fresh off the tree or bush. Two raised beds provide garden opportunities for children with disabilities.
Social studies classes can explore the Barn and various antique tools donated by the Forsyth County Historical Society. There are open areas for living history events and demonstrations such as blacksmithing and animal care. Early life in Forsyth County can be experienced without our children ever leaving campus.
Written by States Wing, DIGS Designer and Creator
Visit Sharon Elementary's Science Lab website!
http://sharonsciencelab.weebly.com/
http://sharonsciencelab.weebly.com/