Sustainability Spotlight: Senior Project at Science Focus Program

Lincoln Public Schools is made up of 57 elementary, middle, and high schools. In addition to these traditional buildings, the district offers four focus programs available to high school students. Lily Anderson, senior at the Science Focus Program, is determined to leave a legacy at her school. “Having an outdoor classroom would allow for students to come together in a new environment and creates an opportunity to give back to the community,” Anderson said.

Part of the Science Focus Program curriculum requires a senior research project for students to conduct before graduating. For her project, Anderson originally wanted to build the school a pond in an empty outdoor area, but had to change plans when her request wasn’t approved. Instead, she plans to install two mobile raised beds and a compost bin for students and staff to use as a teaching tool and place to gather.

When first starting at Science Focus Program, Anderson mentioned that there was an existing outdoor classroom with a pond that has since been removed after the program changed locations. “Being homeschooled for 12 years, I was used to the outdoors as being a learning environment,” Anderson said, “so I came into the year with the idea of getting an outdoor classroom back.”