Arts and science integration on the Kaleidoscope School Nature Trail and Greenhouse

Sara Boersma
Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:45:08 PDT

The Kaleidoscope KSAS Nature Trail and Greenhouse provide a gateway to pathways of understanding the immediate natural space surrounding our school. In addition, students are provided arts and science education informed by a critical place-based pedagogy. This emphasizes the activist, restoring possibilities of art making and affirming the need for students to become involved in learning outside the physical school building (Graham, 2003). The possibilities ofunderstandings and stewardship are encouraged through arts and science integration and experiences on the nature trail and greenhouse. Through these experiences, students can gain a sense of awareness and understanding oftheir natural environment and this further fosters a love and appreciation for their surroundings. Due to the pandemic, in person learning experiences during the last few years have been impacted and our school would benefit from a reminder and redirection to the vison and beliefs of our school model. My project aims to encourage place- based, art and science integration on the trail and in the greenhouse through a virtual guide for staff at KSAS. This project is intended to encourage staff at KSAS to use the trail system to help promote the integration of arts and science in students’ natural surroundings, provide access to resources that can be directly applicable to place based learning experiences across grade levels, and encourage all staff to input their own creative ideas and talents to further foster the vision and core of our school family.