Greenacres Foundation, JASON Learning, and Indian Hill Exempted Village School District are proud to announce the national digital launch of EcoVillage, a free, hands-on STEM curriculum now available to educators nationwide through JASON Learning’s digital platform on June 30, 2025.
What started as a community favorite in-person field trip at Greenacres Foundation has now evolved into a dynamic, nationally accessible program that empowers educators to bring hands-on, project-based learning to life in their own classrooms. Designed for grades 3–5, EcoVillage provides the tools and guidance for teachers to help students imagine, design, and build sustainable communities.
Expanding a Beloved Field Trip into a National Learning Experience
For more than 35 years, Greenacres Foundation has delivered immersive, place-based education through hands-on experiences on the farm, in the arts, and in natural spaces. EcoVillage grew out of this mission, originally as an in-person field trip designed to help students explore the connection between community, economy, and environment.
Now, through a partnership with JASON Learning, a nonprofit that provides high-quality, STEM-focused curricula and learning experiences, EcoVillage is available as a free digital resource that helps educators bring this experience to life in their own classrooms. Supported by JASON’s innovative STEM platform, the curriculum equips teachers to guide students through designing their own sustainable communities, encouraging them to think like civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and environmental stewards.
What is EcoVillage?
EcoVillage is an interactive, project-based STEM curriculum for grades 3–5 that blends environmental science, social studies, and design thinking. With a focus on outdoor exploration and collaborative problem-solving, students learn by doing; building critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership skills in a real-world context. The program includes three hands-on missions:
● Community Rooted in Imagination – Students explore natural resources, goods and services, and the identity of a community through scavenger hunts, mapping exercises, and discussions.
● Grow Your Budding Community – Students learn about local government, vote on laws, develop business and marketing plans, and practice civic engagement.
● Nurture Your Blossoming Community – Students prepare for a “grand opening” that showcases their community’s systems, businesses, and culture. Through feedback and reflection, they explore what worked, what didn’t, and how real-world communities evolve.
Through these experiences, students build critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in a real-world context.
Mary Gordon, Site Supervisor, Education Program Coordinator and EcoVillage Creator at Greenacres Foundation, said: “Developing this program began when my sister and I observed our students interact by exchanging goods and services using natural objects. From there, we realized we could turn this natural behavior into a whole curriculum for students to learn, lead, and grow.”
A Shared Commitment to Accessible, High-Quality Learning
EcoVillage is hosted free of charge on JASON Learning’s platform, complete with digital materials, printable resources, and optional professional development for educators.
Dr. Eleanor Smalley, President and CEO of JASON Learning, added: “We’re proud to partner with Greenacres Foundation and Indian Hill School District to deliver an interdisciplinary STEM curriculum that inspires students’ love of nature and nurtures their leadership skills as they design sustainable communities and businesses.”
A Local Pilot with National Impact
Indian Hill Exempted Village School District played a key role in piloting the digital version of EcoVillage. The district integrated the program into its curriculum as part of its #IHPromise initiative—committed to developing leadership, curiosity, and critical thinking in every student.
Scott Wingate, Chief Program Officer at Greenacres Foundation, emphasized: “At Greenacres, classroom concepts come to life when we combine hands-on, authentic experiences with our innovative educators, curious students, and community partners like Indian Hill School District! We encourage educators nationwide to implement EcoVillage and create transformative learning opportunities for their students.”
Indian Hill continues to expand student access to JASON’s broader catalog of inquiry-based STEM resources—connecting students with real-world careers and industry experts.
Discover more from Livingmagazines.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Leave a Reply