Gulf Shores Middle School
Place-Based Science
Gulf Shores City Schools
Principal: Dr. Tim Webb
Superintendent: Dr. Matt Akin
At Gulf Shores Middle School, Place-Based Science was a standout example of innovative, student-focused education. This forward-thinking initiative integrated surrounding ecosystems with existing middle school science standards and broke away from traditional classroom structures to allow for experiences that reached students in a way conventional classwork could not. Whether it’s the neighboring 6,150-acre Gulf State Park composed of 9 different ecosystems, Little Lagoon, the Gulf and accompanying dune systems, or the school’s amazing Science teachers, all available resources were used to make this endeavor successful. One crucial aspect that made Place-Based Science so valuable was enhanced student engagement, which was critical to getting and keeping students connected to the various science curriculums. Students increasingly wanted to be at school for the classes that connected the real world to their studies. Place-Based Science experiential learning made learning relevant to all Gulf Shores Middle School students. Some activities in the initiative that promoted this relevance included: Earth Day participation, kayaking on Lake Shelby, water testing in Little Lagoon, recycling Christmas trees and planting sea oats as part of dune restoration, oyster farming, biking in Gulf State Park, and foraging lessons. The academic impact of this program continued to grow as students became more engaged but the encouragement of civic responsibility due to the community immersion created connections that will last a lifetime.
