Weekly Response #1: The Outdoor Advantage

THE OUTDOOR ADVANTAGE

Education can be found anywhere and everywhere on campus. A great example of this is Elbel Field which is located on Hill street across from the IM Building. As I took another look at the immense man made field and athletic structures that I pass every day on my way to class I realized that this was another kind of classroom. Although modest in it's construction Elbel is a place where learning happens every day. From the Michigan Marching Band to the IM soccer leagues Elbel houses students of every variety, all flocking to its gates not to be educated in the traditional sense but in the way of sports and plenty of other outdoor activities. The large structure in the middle of the actual-sized football field house the "Teacher" of the class and allows for the projection of vocal instructions so that all the students may hear. This is where the marching band comes to learn it's marching formations and where the ultimate frisbee team comes to learn new throws and master old ones. The field offers a place for students to watch, for teachers to come and help out and of course for anyone to relieve stress at the end of the day. Although not conventional in it's appearance this classroom is an important part of our education system and provides a great service for the more active members of the Michigan community.