An age-old axiom states that “there are those who do, and there are those who teach.” But in the new age of interactive, experiential learning, the most important, emerging school of thought is to teach by doing. Research has confirmed that what students actually experience (as opposed to what they read or write) has the greatest affect on their development.

Debbie Brainerd has personally applied this experiential learning concept to create what is being recognized as the most hands-on environmental learning facility in the nation. The soft-spoken, tireless PSELC president, who has worked diligently on coordinating every aspect of the center, and has hand-picked an unusually diverse and talented board of directors, has developed a world of learning that is simply brilliant in both its design and execution.

“We all learn in different ways and we all are attracted to different things that engage us in learning,” she remarks. “Not everyone’s interested in science, or art or technology, which is why we’ve linked each of these together. For instance, we want to show children how scientists actually use the technology, such as handheld data collectors, the GIA (Geographic Information System) and layered mapping to understand how ecosystems work. Over time, as new information is collected and added to our Website, students can pull that up online and watch how the system grows and changes. We’ll also be using a video Webcam so we can do programs live on site that can also be shown in classrooms across the country. The hands on, experiential-based model is the biggest piece that we emphasize. We want to foster deeper learning. “

At the outset, Ms. Brainerd looked at at least thirty other centers across the country to extract their best practices. After a six-month feasibility study, she spent another six months doing research. She was surprised to learn that in a region as rich in natural resources as the Puget Sound, 50 percent of Seattle kids weren’t getting an environmental education, while other states were providing one. Debbie spent a great deal of time meeting with teachers, administrators and holding focus groups. The challenge was not only providing access to a center, but also working with teachers to meet education requirements both in Washington and in states across the nation. Hiring world-class educators was a natural outgrowth of the process.

While Debbie, and husband Paul, currently live in the Pike Place Market, they plan to retire to Bainbridge and have always felt drawn to the island as the ideal home of the center. “The inspiration for the center came from the land itself,” explained Debbie. “The 255 acres is really magical. Numerous biologists and educators have visited the site, and concur that this small piece of land — which contains a complete watershed — offers the greatest variety of ecosystems available for educational opportunities so near to an urban setting. A series of wetland systems — forested wetland, scrub/shrub wetland, bog, and cattail marsh — lie within the site’s borders. One of the wetlands provides the head waters for the site’s most famous feature, Mac’s Pond. The pond’s waters are held at the south end by a 120-year-old earthen dam.

The center also gathers much inspiration from the native heritage of the region. including the Puget Sound Coastal Salish influence. A housepost inside the compound’s Great Hall was carved in the likeness of a grandmother. As Debbie informed, “The grandmother [in the Native American tradition] takes care of all the children not just her own. The same might be said of Debbie Brainerd who is welcoming children the world over to a magnificent new center of discovery in environmental learning.