Lyceum Preschool in Bermuda has temporarily moved its educational activities to the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (Bamz) in Flatts Village due to renovations at their usual location, Francis Patton School. This shift has transformed the educational experience for its students, replacing traditional classroom walls with the natural and rich learning environment of Bamz. This change was sparked by a class trip in 2023, leading to a partnership between Bamz, the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS), and the Department of Education. The partnership is grounded in the belief that education can thrive outside traditional settings, utilizing outdoor learning to enhance early childhood education.
At Bamz, Lyceum has adopted the Legit Pedagogical Model, which supports hands-on, experiential, project-based, and inquiry-based learning, encouraging students to engage deeply with their surroundings and take control of their learning processes. This model aligns with Bermuda’s educational reform, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches.
The natural setting provides a unique opportunity for learning about wildlife, ecology, and environmental conservation, contributing to cognitive development, social skills enhancement, and stress reduction among the children. This experience not only ensures the continuity of education during the renovation of their regular school but also offers memorable and impactful learning experiences that highlight the significance of nature in holistic education. The move to Bamz illustrates the potential benefits of outdoor learning environments in early childhood education, challenging traditional educational paradigms by showcasing the value of integrating nature into the curriculum.