Sayville Academic Center

What is Nature Explore?

Our goal at Nature Explore is to support your important efforts to connect children with nature.

Nature Explore is a collaborative program of Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation.

PSA

Research shows regular time in nature supports

whole-child learning and the development of foundational key

skills.

Outdoor Classroom Design

On-site outdoor classroom design services with a specially trained landscape architect-educator team are available to help create Nature Explore Classrooms nationwide.

Nature Explore offers a unique six-step outdoor classroom design process that is efficient, affordable, and brings people together to develop a common vision for their Nature Explore Classroom

The Process

1. Select Planning Group 2. Design Consultation 3. Create Concept Plan

4. Review Concept Plan 5. Create Implementation Plan 6. Ready To Build

Educator Workshops

Engaging, inspiring, research-based Nature Explore Workshops support comprehensive learning with nature. Educator Workshops support adults who work with children in

schools, early childhood and environmental education programs.

Certified Classrooms

Certified Nature Explore Classrooms are dynamic, nature-based play and learning spaces. Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom Design Services apply research-based, field-tested design principles to create these nature-rich outdoor spaces that can be located anywhere a school, child care center,

park, or other community site might have a traditional playground.

Certified Nature Explore Classrooms enhance the physical environment and add natural beauty to the surrounding area. A network of Certified Nature Explore Classrooms is growing throughout the United States in elementary schools; early childhood programs; nature centers; military bases; national forests, parks and wildlife refuges; zoos; Head Start centers; arboretums;

children's museums and other public spaces.

Certification Requirements1)Well-designed outdoor space: Provide evidence that principles from the Learning with Nature Idea Book were used in the design of new spaces, or the redesign of existing spaces. For renewal, provide evidence of annual maintenance.

2)Staff development: Provide evidence that staff have attended a full-length Nature Explore Workshop. For renewal, provide evidence of annual professional development relating to nature education.

3)Family involvement: Provide evidence that activities or materials designed to increase family awareness and involvement in nature education for young children are provided regularly.

Sayville Academic Center

Sayville Academic Center in collaboration with Sagamore Children’s Center services students with mild to severe learning disabilities and moderate to severe behavioral and/or intensive counseling concerns. A comprehensive, structured school wide behavior management system is used.

STUDENT PROFILE ● Mild to severe learning disabilities ● Moderate to severe behavioral and/or intensive counseling concerns ● Asperger/high functioning Autism ● Severe psychiatric needs that require therapeutic counseling ● Sagamore psychiatric services ● Hospital psychiatric services (Stony Brook Hospital)

CLASSIFICATIONS●Learning Disabled ●Multiple Disabilities ●Autism ●Emotional Disturbance ●Other Health Impairment ●Speech and Language Impaired

Nature Explore classrooms support creativity and imaginative play. They inspire collaboration and reduce violence and bullying.

ConstructionPhase 1

Let the Planting Begin!!

Patriot’s Day 2014Daffodil Planting