One year ago, the nation’s first nature school of its kind opened in central Missouri. How’s it going so far at Boone County Nature School?

Margie Vandeven, the State Department of Conservation’s Education Branch chief, said the focus of hands-on learning in nature is affecting student behavior at the school.

“Out of 1,400 fifth graders going through those school doors, they reported two discipline incidents all year. Now, if you’re paying attention to anything that’s happening in our classrooms today, to have two discipline issues in a full academic year involving 1,400 students, that’s pretty phenomenal,” Vandeven told Missourinet. If you walk through the doors, you’re not quite as surprised because you do see kids excited about learning.”

Ragan Webb helps student during fishing (Phot

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