Lynn Hudock, July 31, 2002

One Teacher - Making a Difference

Lynn Hudock, a teacher at Green Bay’s Southwest High School, begins her environmental studies course by having students choose one object from nature and describe it.  “In past years most students couldn’t identify an oak leaf from a maple leaf . . . they don’t have a connection with the natural world and (therefore) can’t appreciate it.”  As part of the requirements for the Master of Science in Natural Resources Program for Teachers at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (Lynn graduated in 2002) she seeks to change that.

By creating and using an outdoor wildflower garden as a type of classroom and developing curriculum materials for classes other than science, she is hoping to “reconnect students with nature.”  According to Hudock, “Connecting with nature has many benefits.  Students not only are gaining more knowledge, but an appreciation that will transfer into a respect and a feeling of responsibility for their surroundings.”  Plus, as she points out, “Studies have shown that a strong connection to nature decreases anti-social behavior, violence, and vandalism.”

Though the teaching of environmental education (EE) is mandated by the state, it’s often overlooked by teachers that don’t teach science.  In Hudock’s research she found that most teachers don’t include EE because they feel they don’t have a good understanding of our natural resources, their class time is too limited, and/or they are just not comfortable with outdoor teaching techniques. She believes that not only encouraging teachers to teach in the out of doors, but giving them the materials and training on how and what to teach will help to overcome those barriers, and ultimately, benefit the students even more.  “EE really is very easy to incorporate across all disciplines” according to Hudock.

Her project started a little over four years ago with the help of Green Bay Botanical Gardens and an organization called the Wild Ones.  Together with their help and her students, the woodchips for what would develop into Southwest’s woodland wildflower garden were laid down.  Through the identification of native flowers, harvesting of them from construction sites, planting the flowers, hauling the water, and overall maintenance of the garden, students have not only cultivated the flowers, but their own connection with nature as well.  Plus, as  Lynn points out, they “foster skills such as patience, dedication, and hard-work.”

Now, with the garden fully established, Lynn is hoping to make the “nature connection” with students even stronger by inviting and involving other classes in using the garden as an outdoor classroom.

She has developed interdisciplinary curriculum materials and ideas that teachers could easily implement.  For example, language arts classes can identify a specific flower and then compose a poem, sonnet, or Haiku about it.  Math courses can use one of the many activities and worksheets designed by Hudock to measure plant growth and development, or Art classes can make nature prints or dyes from the flowers.  She also held an in-service to show teachers various activities, teaching methods, and how even a little extra time can be used for a great lesson.

As a result of her establishment of the woodland wildflower garden, creation of curriculum materials, and  her spring 2002 in-services for her colleagues, she has noticed a difference in students and staff.  Teachers are taking their classes out and using the area more regularly.  Does she think she’ll get a different answer this fall when she does her nature activity? “Well, if teachers continue taking their classes outside, students will have a better appreciation for their environment.”  As to the identifying specific trees,   “We’ll work on that one in class!”

Teachers interested in getting more information about the Masters degree program in environmental education at UW Stevens Point can contact Tim Byers, Program Coordinator at (715) 346-4176.

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