The Nature of Learning
Unearthing the Joy of Learning Outdoors
Over the summer, Trinity Episcopal School partnered with Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds to handcraft two unique spaces for our campus – a natural playground and an outdoor classroom. These two structures offer more than just fun. They encourage students’ imaginations to run free, explore, and connect not just with each other but also with the natural world around them.
The Natural Learner
Children are inherently curious and eager to explore their environment. The natural playground and outdoor classroom pique interest and use students’ curiosity as a learning tool. They help build critical thinking and motor skills by creating an interactive outdoor experience that engages students' bodies and minds.
The playground may look unconventional, with its asymmetrical log structure adorned with ropes, wooden planks laid on the ground, and a small well inside the sand area. But these unique details create a sensory-rich space that engages all five senses and serves as an outlet for students to explore and problem solve through imaginative play.
Students can use the planks as building blocks and create fun structures, utilizing their creativity and further building gross motor development skills. The log setup taps into their creative thinking and problem-solving to navigate the build, while also engaging them physically. The sand and water feature allows students to connect with natural elements through sensory play.
The outdoor classroom, made from natural materials, provides a peaceful space for students to connect with the outdoors and observe their surroundings. It allows for quiet contemplation and cognitive engagement.
The Natural Curriculum
These outdoor structures serve as extensions of the classroom and curriculum. Nature is an excellent tool to help our students bloom and grow as scholars. The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) found that students who spend time in nature have improved their STEM scores, as nature is a major component of scientific literacy, deepening students’ understanding of scientific concepts and decision-making.
Not only does nature help students academically, but it also helps their physical well-being. The New York Times article, “Babies Know: A Little Dirt Is Good for You,” discussed how exposure to dirt and natural elements boosts healthy immune responses—reducing stress and increasing focus.
The implementation of these spaces was an educational choice grounded in research-backed practice and real instructional impact, a visible example of how school design, curriculum, and community work together to support whole-child development.
The new K-2 playground, as well as the outdoor classroom space, Twisty's Turf, are made possible by philanthropy. If you would like to give to projects around our campus like these, please contact Kristi Katz at kkatz@austintrinity.org.