Outdoor Classrooms are Designed for Improved Safety and Learning Opportunities

Virtual learning, homeschooling, socially-distanced classrooms, improved HVAC, and most recently opening the windows…These are the main ideas being offered in response to the pandemic, none of which even come close to reducing transmission of COVID-19 when compared to going outside.

Teachers report that the “OutClass™ Outdoor Classroom”, patent pending, system makes the transition to teaching outdoors seamless. The setup allows educators to deliver their curriculum in a safe, flexible, and pedagogically sound manner. They report that by taking them to an outside classroom for one session improves attention and focus for the entire day.

Early childhood educators know that outdoor learning activities for very young children require a different approach than the traditional classroom setup. Fortunately, our company was founded by an ECE and we have developed sensory, play-based, natural learning environments for quick-setup at your childcare facility. Check out Early Learning Pods™ for our lineup of outdoor learning kindergarten environments.

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In addition to the many documented benefits of outdoor classroom designs, the “OutClass™ outdoor classrooms”, patent pending, system offers:

Reduced risk of exposure to COVID-19

Studies show that COVID-19 spreads more easily indoors than in outdoor conditions. There’s a far greater dilution of particles outside thanks to improved air circulation and sunlight. It is also much easier to respect social distancing protocols while outdoors than it is in confined spaces, therefore greatly reducing the risk of contraction.

In addition, all “OutClass™ outdoor classrooms”, patent pending, products are made from sustainably-harvested wood. As a porous surface, wood has been shown to eliminate any trace of COVID-19 within 24 hours — compared to 4-5 days for non-porous surfaces such as plastic and steel.

***Green Schoolyard America “Learning Outdoors in COVID-19” Resources: https://www.greenschoolyards.org/covid-learn-outside

Quick and easy set-up and removal

Designed for fast and efficient shipping and set-up, “OutClass™ outdoor classrooms”, patent pending, can transform any open space into an effective outside classroom in a single day. Seating arrangements allow for infinite configurations, and the equipment can be delivered and set-up in a single day.

“OutClass™ outdoor classrooms”, patent pending, Include:

Blackboards for teaching
Solid, stable, natural seating and desks
Equipment storage
Buffers between classes
Sun and inclement weather protection

“OutClass™ outdoor classrooms”, patent pending, is the smart approach to safely scale your classroom capacity and offer outside learning.

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Adaptable to meet your evolving needs

The “OutClass™ outdoor classrooms”, patent pending, system can be repurposed based on your evolving needs. Seating arrangements can be reconfigured into gathering areas, social seating, nature classrooms, and even bleachers for your sports fields.

You can also rearrange your “OutClass™ outdoor classrooms”, patent pending, system into an engaging, compliant play structure (ASTM, CSA, ADA), or a more elaborate, permanent outdoor classroom. See our “OutClass™ outdoor classrooms”, patent pending, transformed section and our specifications page for more information.

Integrated liability and insurance

The “OutClass™ outdoor classrooms”, patent pending, seats and desks are designed with a low center of gravity, weight distribution, and provide a stable base so they will not tip over. All “OutClass™ outdoor classrooms”, patent pending, products are free of splinters for safety, while maintaining a porous surface for COVID-19 mitigation and UV-protection for outdoor conditions. Every “OutClass™ outdoor classrooms”, patent pending, is fully insured and specifically designed to be stored and used outdoors under any conditions unlike most indoor classroom infrastructure.

The History of Outdoor Classrooms

Outdoor and nature-based classrooms are not a new idea. The concept of taking students outside to enhance their learning, promote their development, and in some instances, offer a safer learning environment, has been around for a very long time.

History points to several periods where outdoor classroom designs were encouraged in response to public health concerns. In the early 20th century, for example, as tuberculosis ravaged North American cities, schools in New York and Toronto proposed the creation of open air and nature-based classrooms. The experiment was a success and the students who attended outdoor classrooms were noticeably healthier and suffered from fewer symptoms.*

^{*Source: The New York Times and TVO}

In the era of COVID-19 and beyond, outdoor classrooms once again offer an opportunity to address health and safety concerns in the school environment. By providing an “OutClass™ outdoor classrooms”, patent pending, you position your school as a leader in outdoor education and are providing enhanced safety measures for students and teachers.

Join the movement of schools across North America who are paving the way forward with an “OutClass™ outdoor classrooms”, patent pending.

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