By Donna Lemar

Middle school science teacher, Pacelli Catholic School

In the spring of each year, as part of the middle school curriculum, the Pacelli sixth-eighth grade students and adult chaperones go to Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro for three days. The staff at Eagle Bluff conduct classes that use teamwork and problem solving skills to teach students.  The classes emphasize the importance of environmental awareness and promote outdoor experiences to involve the students in the environment.

The classes are run by certified professionals. Most classes start with an indoor introduction, move to the outdoors for about two hours, and then finish indoors with a summary and discussion. The classes promote working in nature and using scientific thought processes. In addition to nature classes, the sixth grade have group challenges each year which gives them a chance to work together creatively to solve a physical problem. The seventh grade students use the rock wall to challenge themselves and race each other to the top. And, each year, the eighth grade is challenged by the ropes course in the tree tops. This year, as well as last, the eighth grade has had the opportunity to canoe on the Root River. There are also evening programs by naturalists, campfires, as well as group arts and crafts and other activities.

As an extension to the outdoor classes, the students are asked to become good stewards of their indoor and outdoor environments. All participants become an important part of keeping the indoor rooms clean and environmentally friendly.

At meal time the students are asked to take what they want to eat and eat everything that they take. The Pacelli middle schoolers have won the “clean plate” award for eight years in a row by eating all of the food from their trays and have also won the “Eagle Eye” award for keeping their indoor and outdoor areas clean and being responsible stewards by turning off lights and water and closing windows when leaving the dorms. The students are taught how to be good conservationists.

If you would like to see their programs first hand, there are summer classes and family activities scheduled throughout the year. Eagle Bluff is a field trip the Pacelli middle school students look forward to each spring.

If you are interested in learning more about Pacelli Catholic Schools visit our website at www.pacellischools.org, email admin@pacellischools.org, or call 507-437-3278.