This year�s deserving Outdoor Laboratory winner is Edgewood Intermediate School located in Ellettsville, Ind., Monroe County. Once again members of Indiana Tree Farm Judging Committee had a difficult time determining which school would be the best classroom for 2007. Four District school winners participated in the final selection, with Edgewood coming out on top. As Donna Rogler, Project Learning Tree Coordinator and judge, says, �Edgewood just gets it.�

They have an excellent facility and the teachers know how to put it all together. From the butterfly garden and prairie to forested trail and old growth forest, they have what it takes to be a top school. Every aspect of the outdoor laboratory is built into the school curriculum and the lab is used for math, surveying, reading, writing, tree identification, environmental understanding, science and the list goes on. As was the case with all the schools in this year�s judging, the teachers and students were thrilled, proud and excited to show off their outdoor classrooms. Edgewood was a school that is highly valued by its community, faculty and students.

The 2007 Outdoor Laboratory of the year award was presented at the Hoosier Association of Science Teachers Inc. conference in Indianapolis on Feb. 8. Not only does IHLA and Indiana Tree Farm recognize the most outstanding school, it also honors the primary lab contact. This year�s recipient of top Outdoor Laboratory Teacher went to Judy Morran. Along with the Indiana Tree Farm award, IHLA donated $500 to the winning school and Senator Richard Lugar presents a letter and certificate of appreciation.

Indiana Tree Farm Committee continues to be a leader in outdoor education, recognizing schools throughout the State for more than 30 years. If you know of a school in your area that you feel has an outstanding laboratory, contact your District Tree Farm representative and we can include that school in next year�s judging.