The Environmental Education Program offered at the Franciscan Life Process Center is a unique opportunity for 5th grade students to experience their classroom in a new hands-on way. As well as incorporating the required curriculum expectations of the classroom, the teachers and students travel to our Center in Lowell for 3 weeks out of the academic year. Each week is scheduled during three primary seasons: Fall, Winter and Spring. This seasonal schedule is designed to help incorporate educational concepts that are specific to the environment.
Learning is supported through written and visual material, as well as movement and hands-on activities; such as hiking, animal husbandry, art creation, outdoor journaling, and much more. The students will have the combination of their teachers present, as well as the expertise of Sister Mary Paul Moller, FSE. Sister Mary Paul educates the students on the systems of the environment and how to be good stewards of the God’s creation, closely following the example of St. Francis Assisi.
Below are some examples of what the students will encounter each season.
Fall
The Life Cycle and Design of Trees: Students will encounter multiple species of both coniferous and deciduous trees while learning about the life cycle and the fruit bearing capacity. This lesson is supported by guided nature hikes around the 230 acre farm to identify different species. The fall season also offers the opportunity to harvest a variety of fruits and vegetables on the land. During this week they will also experience a professional art lesson on the concepts of values, light source and how to recreate a realistic drawing of a tree. Lastly, the students will encounter regular work of a livestock farm and the process involved in caring for animals.
Winter
Winter Animal Signs and Tracks: Students will learn about animal behavior, such as hibernation or adaptation during the winter months. They will learn to identify different animal species native to Michigan while exploring tracks on the weekly nature hikes. They will assist with farm work on their second animal encounter of the year and learn about processes to keep the animals healthy and safe during the winter months. In their art lesson, the students will graduate from drawing trees to drawing realistic portraits of animals.
Spring
What Makes a Bird a Bird? Students begin to explore the migratory pattern of Michigan birds, nesting patterns and design, as well as bird anatomy. Through exploratory hiking, students will observe birds through binoculars as well as identify the songs of native species. On the farm, they will have a close encounter with chickens, to observe bird behavior and egg production. A multi-media art lesson is taught to create their own bird illustration using colored sand, native seeds and other materials found on the land.
Enrollment Process
To enroll in the program for 2023-2024, contact Sister Mary Paul Moller directly either by phone 616-897-7842 or email smpmoller@lifeprocesscenter.org.
The cost of this educational opportunity is $9000 for the school year. We have a great respect and commitment to our local Catholic schools, so we are thrilled to offer this program at a discount of 50%, bringing it to a total of $4,500 or $1,500 per week for the school year. No transportation is available, but we encourage schools to reach out to their Parent/Teacher programs to see the possibility for a transportation scholarship.
Reverence and Awe
The Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, through the Franciscan Life Process Center, continue to uphold and value the educational experience for individuals at all stages. The Environmental Education Program continues to enrich and expose children to many different experiences and strives to enhance the reverence and awe of God’s beautiful creation.