Saint Michael's College Outdoors This Fall

Photo from Julia Murdick ‘25. Recent Farm & Food Intensive II classes taking place on the Farm.

It has been so fabulous to see all of the folks interacting with and visiting the Outdoor/Living classrooms so far this academic year. What a busy fall! 

It was great to see you all at the Faculty Assembly way back in August (Remember that? Only a few months ago?).  Since that meeting  the scheduling and planning with the Outdoor/Living classrooms (if you will excuse the pun) has blossomed.  Folks are using the scheduling form and planning out visits for this fall. Thank you! This is very exciting to see. 

In case you missed it, here is the Guide for the Outdoor/Living Classrooms with the information you need to get started. Please reach out to us with any questions or information  not shared in this guide. 

Photo from Julia Murdick ‘25. Recent Farm & Food Intensive II classes taking place on the Farm.

Here  is a quick update about the ways SMC faculty are integrating the classrooms and related areas into their courses to spark some ideas as you think about planning for spring classes and even for next fall. 

• Professor Cornelia Mihaila brought students in her FS-165: Math & Social Justice course to the Teaching Pavilion at the beginning of the semester to teach statistics while enjoying being outside and in nature. Nothing like a little fresh air to stimulate the mathematical mind! 
• Professor Karen Popovich has woven priorities and goals of the Institute for the Environment into her BU-463: Sustainable Entrepreneurship course by challenging her students to draft a Sustainability Plan for the college, as well as learning about the business side of the SMC Farm’s CSA program while participating in weekly CSA packing. Talk about integration! 
• We continue to host Professors Declan McCabe and Brian Swisher’s BI-151: Introduction to Ecology & Evolution on the SMC Farm, the SMC Natural Area, and our No-Mow Zones for both labs and lectures. So far, students in BI-151 have visited our Outdoor & Living Classrooms six separate times: three times in the SMC Natural Area, twice on the SMC Farm, and once in the No-Mow Zones. Lots of areas to explore on campus  and connections to be made here. 
• Professor Jason Hirsch has visited our Outdoor & Living Classrooms four times already this semester, bringing his SO-301: Social Problems and FS-163: Climate Crisis courses down to the Farm, the Natural Area, and the Teaching Pavilion on different occasions.  These courses explored the resources available within the SMC community to make local, long lasting, positive change while the students connect with the physical environment. Nothing like adding relevance to classes! Can you say flooding and climate change, and our beloved Vermont?
• Lastly, we hosted nearly 60 students, parents, and teachers from Champlain Elementary School throughout most of our Outdoor & Living Classrooms. Students in Professor Soo Joung Kim’s ED-339: Content Area Literacy course led groups of 5th graders in lessons about sustainability, composting, and pollinators. We love to hear about area schools in partnership with SMC to increase engagement, relevance, and excitement about learning while growing (see what I did there) a strong connection with SMC. 

Onward! We can’t wait to feature your work and connections to the Outdoor/Living Classrooms, which we hope to do on a regular basis here. 

Please be in touch as you plan for spring and fall if there are ways we can support you

Photo from Trevien Stanger, October 2024. MMU students plant trees in the Natural Area to assist in the recovery of the ecosystem.