Carlsbad Middle School students promote outdoor learning bill during legislative session

Three Carlsbad middle school students testified as experts during the 2022 legislative session in support of new legislation that would create an outdoor learning program for New Mexico schools.

Anthony Pacheco, Ashley Olivas and Sarah Bennett from PR Leyva Middle School spoke via Zoom with the state Senate Education Committee about Senate Bill 32—which passed unanimously— on Jan. 26.

If signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, the bill would appropriate $500,000 to the Public Education Department to establish the program. The appropriation includes $200,000 to hire an outdoor learning specialist and assistant and $300,000 to expand outdoor learning opportunities and to provide training and support for teachers and build outdoor classrooms.

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"We are here today to talk with the legislators of our state to show our idea for outdoor classrooms in schools," Pacheco said. "I think it is important for SB 32 to pass because it promotes creativity within students, reduces COVID-19 transmission and supports students' physical, mental and emotional wellbeing."

The three students are members of Wild Friends, a statewide education program that allows students to contribute to wildlife conservation through public policy projects. They, along with program members from across New Mexico, helped draft Senate Bill 32.

While the average cost of an outdoor classroom can reach up to $10,000, Pacheco said Wild Friends students were able to create a prototype that would cost just $2,000.

Bennett explained that an outdoor classroom is simply a permanent outdoor space with protection from the weather that can be used just like any other classroom.

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Other states including Colorado, Texas, California and Washington have passed similar bills creating opportunities for outdoor learning, the students told the committee.

"Many schools in New Mexico have also expressed interest in outdoor education, they just don't know where to begin. We want to give them the help they need to make this happen," Bennett said.

Olivas said outdoor education has been shown to increase grade-point averages and promote positive behaviors among participating students.

"Being outside is a perfect way to soothe the need for distractions, between fresh air and the natural scenery it's a perfect way to tone down the stress and anxiety that I and students like me deal with on a daily basis," Olivas said.

During the committee meeting, multiple organizations spoke in favor of the bill including the New Mexico State Land Office, the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club and the National Education Association.

State senator and sponsor of the bill Siah Correa Hemphill said the bill was in alignment with the New Mexico Public Education Department's vision of providing a culturally and linguistically responsive education system to New Mexico students.

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Hemphill said the bill could also help improve students' motivation, critical thinking and problem-solving skills while strengthening connections with their community,

"With New Mexico's beautiful climate and a small investment we can become a state leader in innovation and learning with this simple plan to encourage students to go outdoors and learn," Pacheco said.

Claudia Silva is a reporter from the UNM Local Reporting Fellowship. She can be reached at csilva2@currentargus.com, by phone at 575-628-5506 or on Twitter @thewatchpup.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: CMS Students promote outdoor learning bill during legislative session