Education foundation builds outdoor learning space at FES

Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post - March 12, 2025

Fredericksburg Elementary School recently debuted its new outdoor learning space, after fifth grade science teacher Stephanie Gonzales and principal Scott Duncan received a grant from the Fredericksburg ISD Education Foundation.

The space is intended to give kids hands-on learning opportunities by getting out of the traditional indoor classroom.

“Students have a higher level of interest when they can connect with what they are learning,” Gonzales said. “Now, they can take their classroom knowledge of questioning and hypothesizing outdoors to experiment, observe, record and analyze through investigation.”

Cheyenne Foller writes notes from an erosion lab on a chalkboard. — Standard-Radio Post/Michaela Rush

Matthew Felts of Gadwall Custom Builders supported the project by constructing the six picnic tables and chalkboards, which are used as student workstations.

“Gadwall is happy to be a part of this project that supports hands-on learning for students, in a fun and interactive way to solidify what they’re learning,” Felts said.

Students enjoyed the space’s first sunny day on Monday, Feb. 24 with a lab on erosion. Students Jett Baccus and Gabriella Gray both said they enjoyed the new space.

“It’s really good because the whole school can use it, it’s not just one grade,” Baccus said.

“We can come out in the sun and do experiments,” Gray said.

Ellie Rivas, Bonnie Minshew, Margaret Stevens, partially hidden, and Klara Adkins demonstrate erosion from water at an incline in the new FES Outdoor Learning Space — Standard-Radio Post/Michaela Rush

Duncan said he’s excited to see the space promote scientific skills.

“Hands-on science education promotes problem-solving and critical thinking,” Duncan said. “Having this new space for students to conduct investigations by making observations, hypothesizing and drawing conclusions based on evidence is critical.”

“We are grateful to the Education Foundation and its donor for their support in making this space a reality for our Little Billies.”