We’re excited to share our first 2026 NHEE’d to Get Outside Grant story, celebrating a powerful winter learning experience led by Gilsum STEAM Academy. This whole-school field trip highlights how hands-on, place-based outdoor learning builds environmental literacy, curiosity, and confidence—even in the heart of winter.

On February 2, 2026, students in grades K–6 participated in a whole-school field trip to the McLane Audubon Center. With 48 students and 10 adults in attendance, many students snowshoed for the very first time as they explored snowy trails under ideal winter conditions.

Through guided exploration, students observed animal tracks, winter habitats, plant diversity, and seasonal adaptations, making meaningful connections to classroom learning. Using an inquiry-based STEAM approach, students asked questions, analyzed evidence, and drew conclusions about how natural systems function in winter environments. Teachers served as facilitators—supporting student reasoning, reflection, and collaborative problem-solving.

The experience strongly aligned with the goals of New Hampshire’s Environmental Literacy Plan by strengthening:

  • Understanding of environmental systems

  • Critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning

  • Collaboration and communication

  • Student agency and responsible environmental action

Mixed-age learning teams encouraged students to listen to diverse perspectives and work together—key skills for thoughtful environmental decision-making. The field trip also built on prior learning experiences, including second graders’ visit to the Lake Sunapee Protective Association Center, and complements ongoing initiatives such as watershed workshops, Below Zero training, classroom tank installations, and participation in the Winter Severity Index Data Collection Project.

Seasonal studies in the school’s greenhouse and pollinator gardens continue to reinforce observation, journaling, and data collection skills that transferred directly to winter fieldwork. With new snowshoes and outdoor explorer kits made possible through the grant, students can keep applying these skills back on school grounds throughout the winter.

Overall, this experience strengthened curriculum alignment, enhanced home–school connections, and supported a continuous cycle of environmental observation and scientific discovery. We’re thrilled to celebrate Gilsum STEAM Academy as they model the impact of meaningful outdoor learning and help grow the next generation of environmental stewards. 🌲❄️

Experiences like this are made possible because of the generous support of numerous individual donors, Unitarian Universalist Church of Concord, Anonymous Foundation in Maine, Appalachian Mountain Club of NH’s Bernice Johnson Fund, and the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH.

Learn more about the NHEE’d to Get Outside grant here: https://nhee.org/about-us/we-nheed-to-get-outside-grant/ntal Educators