Union Middle School is the recipient of a Keep North Carolina Beautiful Window of Opportunity (WOO) grant. The WOO Grants are for beautification, replenishment and recycling projects that educate the youth of North Carolina on the impacts of preserving and enhancing our state’s environmental sustainability. The funds are meant to provide resources for materials critical to the learning project/environment and are intended to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students.
Project Overview
The Spartan Green Team Courtyard Project is a collaborative, student-led initiative designed to transform the school courtyard into a vibrant, sustainable, and multi-functional learning environment. Featuring herb, flower, and plant beds, the courtyard will provide hands-on educational opportunities while offering a beautiful and relaxing space for students, staff, and visitors. This project will integrate the expertise of local landscaping professionals, community volunteers, and the creativity of our students to ensure the space is thoughtfully designed and effectively implemented.
Narrative
The redesigned courtyard will serve as a "living classroom," where students can explore scientific principles, artistic expression, and sustainable practices in a real-world setting. By incorporating diverse plants, thoughtful design elements, and sustainable features such as composting and water conservation systems, the project will teach students the importance of environmental stewardship.
A key feature of this initiative is its collaborative nature. Local landscaping experts from the community will partner with the Spartan Green Team to provide professional guidance on design, plant selection, and best practices for long-term maintenance. This partnership will empower students with both the technical skills and confidence to create a space that reflects their ideas and aligns with North Carolina middle school curriculum standards.
In addition to educational benefits, the courtyard will serve as a hub for wellness, mindfulness, and community engagement, offering opportunities for relaxation and connection to nature.
Purpose of the Spartan Green Team Courtyard Project
The Spartan Green Team's courtyard project aims to transform the school courtyard into a vibrant, student-designed outdoor learning environment. This space will feature a diverse array of herb, flower, and plant beds, fostering a hands-on connection with nature while integrating educational opportunities across multiple subjects. The project will align with North Carolina middle school standards by:
Science: Encouraging exploration of ecosystems, plant biology, and sustainability concepts. Students will observe life cycles, understand plant adaptations, and investigate environmental stewardship practices.
Math: Applying measurement, geometry, and data analysis skills to design garden layouts, calculate spacing for plant growth, and monitor plant health metrics like growth rates.
Language Arts: Enhancing communication and writing skills through journaling, reflection, and creating informational signage for plants and garden areas.
Social Studies: Exploring agricultural practices, local history, and the global impact of sustainable practices on communities.
Health & Physical Education: Promoting wellness by teaching the benefits of gardening, healthy eating, and physical activity through hands-on planting and garden maintenance.
Art: Inspiring creativity by incorporating student artwork in the design and signage, making the courtyard a visually engaging space.
The project empowers students to contribute meaningfully to their environment, build interdisciplinary knowledge, and cultivate pride in a space that reflects their ideas and effort.
