St. Benedict School’s efforts in reducing their carbon footprint became a serious endeavor five years ago with the implementation of their Great Outdoor Learning Center (GOLC). The GOLC is an immersive outdoor learning lab that consists of five unique areas – an outdoor classroom, pond, raised garden beds for seasonal growing, sensory and pollinator garden beds, and a compost area. Students not only benefit from an interactive hands-on experience, but also reap the many physical and mental health benefits from having lessons taught outside in the outdoor classroom.

The student experience is enhanced with the opportunity for year-round gardening with the installation of two Tower Gardens in our STEM lab. These aeroponic growing units allow students to grow vegetables indoors where students can control the entire process of growing and compare it to their outdoor experience. They are also given the chance to eat what they grow by participating in celebrations like “Seeds to Salads” where a salad bar is set up for students to create a salad of their choosing. Additionally, food grown is given to the cafeteria to incorporate into student lunches, as well as shared with the onsite St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Students can also earn service hours as one of our Summer Squad members, helping to care and maintain the garden in the summer time when school is not in session.