When something like an outdoor learning center is left unfinished, members of the JROTC Company in Berthoud want to take action.

The junior class chose to complete the learning center at Ivy Stockwell Elementary School for their service-learning project—which involves installing a weather information station and sundial to give elementary school students direct access to meteorology lessons.

“They couldn’t get it done so we decided we’re going to do it for them,” said Cadet 1st Lieutenant Jevin Curry, 17, company commander of the JROTC Company and a junior at Berthoud High School.

The outdoor learning center, dedicated in 2017, features fully accessible paved walking paths to a large rock seating area surrounded by native plants and garden beds. There also is a pergola and a music station consisting of steel drums and a mallet anchored to the ground.

File Photo – The October 2017 ceremony for the outdoor learning center at Ivy Stockwell Elementary School where JROTC members will be volunteering to complete a service project this spring.

The plan for the center, tied with the school’s STEAM focus (science, technology, engineering, agriculture and mathematics), was put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent increase in student population requiring the space to be used for outdoor classrooms.

“It’s a great school, and I’m happy to go back and finish what was planned, and several cadets agreed,” said Curry, who, along with several of the JROTC cadets, is an alumnus of Ivy.

The weather station will consist of a barometer, weathervane and rain gauge, serving as a visual teacher’s aide. There also will be a cart that contains tools and supplies to maintain the learning center.

“It’s easier to teach kids about weather and stuff and the tools meteorologists use with examples,” Curry said. “It will give a teacher’s aide, plus it gets them out of the classroom and that’s always a plus.”

The junior class designed the features of the weather station and sundial and will purchase steel and other materials to hand-build the items. The cadets also will secure tools, looking to area construction companies and even their own garages to borrow what they need. If they find they require welding work, they will reach out to certified welders for assistance.

The project was selected from several ideas to satisfy the junior class’s service-learning requirement which is 50% of the grade—it’s 30% of the grade for sophomores and provides service learning hours for freshmen and seniors. The junior class got permission from the Berthoud and Ivy principals and a work order from Thompson School District to carry out the project, which it has until May 25 to complete.

“We’re working on an accelerated timeline,” Curry said. “We were delayed by prior units that took a little longer to complete.”

The junior class, with the help of the other cadets, engages in service-learning projects every year, as well as doing community service and volunteer work.

“I enjoy serving my community, and I believe it’s something every citizen should do,” Curry said, adding that JROTC helps with that. “Our goal is to make better citizens after high school through military disciple and knowledge.”

The junior class is allotted funding for its service-learning project but expects it will fall short this time. The class is setting up a GoFundMe page with donations handled by the school’s booster club to make up the difference.

“It’s a great school. I’m happy to go back and finish what is planned,” Curry said.