Teachers at Lake Lure Classical Academy (LLCA) are stepping outside the traditional classroom and into the wild — literally. This summer, LLCA educators participated in a hands-on professional development training hosted by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences through a program known as UTOTES (Using the Outdoors to Teach Experiential Science).
Designed to empower teachers to use local natural environments as living classrooms, the UTOTES program provided LLCA educators with tools, strategies, and science-based content to bring learning to life through the unique natural landscapes surrounding the Hickory Nut Gorge.
Over the course of the training, teachers explored the diverse ecosystems near Lake Lure — including forests, streams, and rock formations — to learn how to engage students in real-world observation, data collection, and environmental stewardship. LLCA will partner with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences the entire school year, and teachers will continue to train through multiple professional development opportunities throughout the year. Students will also take part in building a natural habitat on the school campus for pollinators through this partnership.
UTOTES gives teachers practical ways to use their immediate environment to teach essential science and literacy skills. The Hickory Nut Gorge is an incredible natural resource. This training helps teachers integrate that into the curriculum in meaningful, inquiry-driven ways.
The UTOTES program, developed by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, focuses on helping K–8 teachers incorporate outdoor experiential learning aligned with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. During the LLCA training, educators participated in nature walks, habitat studies, journaling exercises, and hands-on science investigations — all designed to be replicated with students on the school’s campus or nearby natural areas. LLCA believes strongly that all students should experience learning in multiple ways including learning outdoors. Though this program is focused on K-8 standards, teachers in grades 9-12 also participate in the training.
In addition to promoting environmental literacy, UTOTES directly complements LLCA’s classical education model, which emphasizes the development of critical thinking, observation, and Socratic dialogue. By taking learning outdoors, teachers can apply classical principles such as logic, rhetoric, and inquiry-based discussion to real-world scientific exploration. This integration deepens student engagement and encourages thoughtful reflection on humanity’s relationship with the natural world — a cornerstone of classical thought. Nature journaling, for example, strengthens both grammar-stage skills in younger students and analytical writing in older grades.
For LLCA, located in one of North Carolina’s most ecologically rich regions, the training aligns with the school’s mission of fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and a deep appreciation for the natural world.
Research shows that students learn best when they’re engaged, and there’s no better way to do that than getting them outside and asking questions about what they see and hear. For the 2025-2026 school year teachers will engage students in learning their core subjects, but will integrate outdoor education to boost student engagement. LLCA teachers learned to see how even a short walk around our campus can spark big ideas, creativity, and engagement in learning.
As the new school year gets into full swing, LLCA teachers have planned outdoor learning experiences that include biodiversity surveys, citizen science projects, and integrated units that tie science, writing, and social studies together through environmental exploration.
The partnership between Lake Lure Classical Academy and the NC Museum of Natural Sciences marks a significant step toward expanding place-based education in the region and nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders.
The Hickory Nut Gorge isn’t just the school’s backdrop — it’s our classroom.
For more information about LLCA, or to schedule a school tour please visit our website at llcharter.org or call the school directly at (828) 625-9292.