Claudia Hilton, PhD, MBA
Karen Ratliff, PhD, OTR, BCP
Occupational Therapy
This award allows UTMB Occupational Therapy faculty and students to create an outdoor learning environment for infants and toddlers at the Moody Early Childhood Center in Galveston. Research shows that outdoor learning environments support the development of gross motor, fine motor and cognitive skills in infants and toddlers. Persistent exploration and concentration increases attention, improves problem-solving and aids in the development of social and emotional skills. This outdoor learning environment will be equipped with bridges, tunnels, pods, a sand box, toys and other sensory items. UTMB students will be responsible for designing the space, developing teaching materials and training teachers and staff.