Local News
The Elgin School District brings education outdoors
By Cari Hinkle
Aug 25, 2008, 15:53

The beginning of the 2008-09 school year brings not only new faces and classes for students at the Elgin Local School District, but it also brings an exciting new educational experience.

What took 12 years to create, from the initial concept to completion, Elgin has its own outdoor education right in its own back yard — the Sandusky Plains Environmental Education Center (SPEEC).

Located behind the high school, SPEEC will be used to further student’s education of natural sciences and create a hands-on learning atmosphere.

The building is comprised of two parts, a 1,050 square foot classroom and a 700 square foot shelter, with a dual fireplace connecting the two.

Overlooking a four-acre wetland, 1.5 acre pond, and surrounded by the 5,500 acre Big Island Wildlife Area, SPEEC is the latest state-of-the-art science laboratory.

The classroom has six lab stations that can accommodate 24 students, and a teacher’s station with a projector and white board screen. The classroom also has handicap accessible restroom facilities, storage, and maintenance rooms.

Environmental and field biology equipment includes a diversity of netting, aquariums, specimen containers, storage cabinets, water quality analysis equipment, dissection equipment, refrigerator, stereomicroscopes, spotting scopes, fishing rods/reels, field guide reference books, native taxidermy specimens, and more.

Classes conducted in the SPEEC can include kindergarten to college level and cross-curriculum courses that cover not only science, but, art, history, social studies, physical education, math, and English.

In addition to the natural landscaping, flagstone sidewalks and assorted glacial rocks were placed alongside the building. The flagstone came from the village of Green Camp and the old Marion City elementary schools. Glacial rocks are from local farm fields. Five meditation/observation points around the pond and wetlands were constructed on natural sandstone benches.

Students at the high school are eager to begin classes in the environmental lab. In fact, Honors Biology Student Caitlin Haycock was so impressed by SPEEC that she commented, “Mr. Beaver, I want to get married here!”

Signage for the SPEEC is made of recycled plastic, primarily from milk jugs. Signs include the road sign, SPEEC rules, supporting partners, and the main building sign.

The classroom shelter was designed around the concept of the prairie-wetlands ecosystem by LaFontaine Architecture Inc. Kevin Hensel of Hensel Enterprises was the general contractor and a major contributor.

Thanks to the help of over 30 supporting partners that represent political, governmental, education and corporate interest, the $367,000 project is ready for use.

The SPEEC project was funded by grants of $182,000 from the Ohio State Capital Improvement Funds, $46,000 from the Ohio Environmental Education Fund, and $24,000 from the USDA Marion County Farm Service Agency.

Local businesses provided approximately $75,000 in donations, labor, and construction supplies. This support came from Henry Lumber, Johnston Supply, Sims Bros. Recycling, Sew Inclined Interiors, Graham Enterprises, Wal-Mart Stores-Marion, Custom Crete, Josh Daniels Construction, Scioto Valley Excavation, Whirlpool-Marion Division, Hensel Enterprises, and Mid Ohio Energy Cooperative.

Senator Larry Mumper, Ohio Representatives Steve Rienhard and Tony Core, and Commissioners Andy Appelfeller and Josh Daniels were early SPEEC supporters.

Environmental partners include Marion County Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited-Big Island, National Wildlife Federation, Ohio Prairie Association, and Wyandot Bassmasters.

“The SPEEC is an example of how a diversity of supporting partners and individuals can work together to make a very positive impact in our community,” said Dave Beaver, Elgin High School biology teacher. “These supporting partners deserve all of the credit for giving central Ohio a quality facility for learning environmental awareness.”

And what makes this an even more extraordinary building is the fact that it is available for community use. Senior citizens groups, local environment organizations, church groups, class reunions, and other school districts, to name a few, also can take advantage of this outdoor experience.

So, mark your calendars and plan to attend the SPEEC open house/dedication.

The event is planned for Sunday, Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. at the SPEEC lab building, located at Elgin High School. The public is invited to tour

The public is invited and encouraged to tour this unique environmental education facility.

Events planned will include tours of the wetlands, pond, and lab building. The dedication program will include a unique presentation by the Elgin Energizers. Remarks will be made by Sen. Larry Mumper; Carolyn Watkins, Ohio EPA; Kensel Clutter, Ohio prairie expert; Andy Appelfeller, Marion County Commissioner; Ohio Division of Wildlife representative; and an Elgin Local Schools representative.

If you have questions regarding the SPEEC Open House or would like a personal tour, contact Dave Beaver at (740) 383-5118.

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