Blog

Back-to-school season always feels like a fresh start. New pencils, crisp notebooks, kids buzzing with possibility. At Out Teach, we believe science should feel that way too. It should feel alive, exciting, and full of discovery. That’s why the Big Dig at Godsman Elementary in Denver was so special. Together with the Denver Broncos, Denver Public Schools, and the Denver Public Schools Foundation, we turned an ordinary schoolyard into an outdoor science lab that will inspire students for years to come.

Imagine being 8 years old and spending almost the entire school day indoors. On average, elementary students get just 18 minutes of science a day, and rarely any of it happens outside. That’s hardly enough time to dig in, wonder, or discover the world beyond classroom walls. Outdoor learning changes that. It makes science joyful, hands-on, and connected to the world kids experience every day.

The Big Dig wasn’t just about one day of building, it was the result of months of planning, design, and student creativity.

Out Teach Project Associate, Sammy Wren described how the process started with students themselves. Before any shovels hit the ground, students at Godsman Elementary took part in design activities where they imagined what their outdoor classroom could look like. They brainstormed ideas for science tools, sketched layouts, and even helped shape the overall vision. By the time the Big Dig day arrived, everyone, from students and teachers to Broncos players and alumni, had a stake in what was being built.

The Big Dig at Godsman is just the beginning. This fall, Out Teach is helping schools across the country seed change by supporting teachers with simple, ready-to-use lessons that bring science outdoors with connections across subjects like math and literacy. Like any seed, it starts small, but with the right support it grows into something lasting.