For UNH's Child Study And Development Center, the playground's the thing
The University of New Hampshire Child Study and Development Center has
received a $10,000 gift from Seabrook Station to develop construction
plans for the renovation of its outdoor learning environment.
The facility will provide an additional play and learning space for the
138 young children currently enrolled at the center, and a new teaching
model for the University’s education students. Ted Feigenbaum, Seabrook’s
executive vice president and chief nuclear officer, recently presented
the gift to Kathleen McCartney, CSDC director, and Raymond Coward, dean
of the School of Health and Human Services.
The outdoor area will bring an extra dimension to the center’s nationally
recognized program that serves both students and the larger community.
"By extending the curriculum for young children from inside to outside,
we will be able to add a new facet to our education curriculum," explains
McCartney. "The outdoor facility will provide a model for the proper use
of the outdoors as a learning environment and teach children and adults
about the natural environment, ecology and sustainable living," she adds.
In addition to state-of-the-art climbing frames, swings and other traditional
outdoor play equipment, the design will include a weather station, butterfly
house and garden, and compost bin.
Seabrook Station will return to campus with a team of company volunteers
to set the project in motion. "We’re happy to play a part and help
the University in such a positive way," says Feigenbaum. "This is a great
opportunity to support our children’s future. We have many wonderful
people working here at Seabrook who will be very happy to participate
in this worthwhile project."
Seabrook
Station is a 1,160-megawatt nuclear power plant that generates enough
electricity for 1 million homes. Seabrook is operated by North Atlantic
Energy Service Corporation on behalf of the 11 companies that own the
plant.
For more than a half century, the University has sponsored an early-education
laboratory school. Affiliated with the Department of Family Studies within
the School of Health and Human Services, the CSDC is nationally recognized
for the quality of its early education for children, pre-service teaching
for UNH students, and research. The center is among only 7 percent of
early childhood programs nationwide to have earned accreditation from
the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Last fall, the University embarked upon The Next Horizon: The Campaign for the University of New Hampshire, the most ambitious fund-raising campaign in its history. UNH plans to raise $100 million for increased student scholarship and faculty support, stronger academic programs, and improved modern technology and other essential learning tools to all members of the campus community. The gift from Seabrook Station will be counted towards the campaign goal.
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