Outdoor and environmental education takes learning beyond classroom walls, immersing students in nature. This approach fosters hands-on experiences, critical thinking, and environmental stewardship while aligning with science curricula and standards.

Students engage in authentic investigations, developing scientific skills in real-world contexts. This not only increases engagement but also cultivates a deep connection to nature, promoting environmental literacy and empowering learners to become agents of change.

Principles and practices of outdoor education

Experiential learning in natural settings

• Outdoor education is an experiential approach to learning that takes place in the outdoors, often in natural settings, and emphasizes direct experience, challenge, and adventure
• Key principles of outdoor and environmental education include experiential learning, place-based learning, interdisciplinary learning, and the development of environmental literacy and stewardship
• Effective outdoor and environmental education programs are student-centered, inquiry-based, and designed to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Outdoor and environmental education can be integrated into various subject areas (science, social studies, language arts, physical education) to provide a holistic learning experience

Incorporating adventure education elements

• Outdoor and environmental education programs often incorporate elements of adventure education (hiking, camping, orienteering, team-building activities) to foster personal growth, leadership skills, and group cohesion
• Engaging in outdoor science activities can promote the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, as students grapple with complex, real-world issues
• Participating in collaborative outdoor science projects can enhance students' communication, teamwork, and leadership skills, as well as their social and emotional development

Benefits of outdoor learning for science

Authentic, hands-on investigations

• Outdoor learning experiences provide opportunities for students to engage in authentic, hands-on investigations of natural phenomena, enhancing their understanding of scientific concepts and processes
• Outdoor learning allows students to develop and apply scientific skills (observation, data collection, analysis, interpretation) in real-world contexts
• Engaging in outdoor science activities can promote the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, as students grapple with complex, real-world issues

Increased engagement and environmental stewardship

• Exposure to diverse natural environments can stimulate curiosity, wonder, and motivation to learn, leading to increased engagement and interest in science
• Outdoor learning experiences can foster a sense of connection to nature and place, leading to increased environmental awareness and stewardship
• Participation in environmental education programs can lead to increased environmental stewardship, as learners develop the motivation and skills to take action to protect and improve the environment

Integrating outdoor education into science curricula

Aligning with standards and objectives

• Identify relevant outdoor learning sites and resources in the local community (parks, nature centers, gardens, watersheds) that can be used to support science instruction
• Align outdoor learning experiences with science curriculum standards and learning objectives to ensure that they are meaningful and purposeful
• Design inquiry-based outdoor learning activities that engage students in authentic scientific investigations (water quality testing, biodiversity surveys, ecosystem studies)

Interdisciplinary connections and assessment

• Incorporate technology (mobile devices, digital cameras, GPS) to enhance data collection, analysis, and communication in outdoor learning experiences
• Utilize outdoor learning experiences to explore cross-disciplinary connections between science and other subject areas (mathematics, social studies, language arts)
• Develop assessment strategies that measure student learning and growth in outdoor education experiences (performance-based assessments, reflective journals, portfolios)

Environmental education for literacy and stewardship

Fostering environmental literacy

• Environmental literacy is the capacity to understand, appreciate, and make informed decisions about the environment, and to take responsible actions to protect and sustain it
• Environmental education plays a crucial role in fostering environmental literacy by providing learners with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to understand and address environmental issues
• Effective environmental education programs are interdisciplinary, place-based, and action-oriented, engaging learners in real-world problem-solving and decision-making

Empowering agents of change

• Environmental education can promote the development of environmental values (respect for nature, concern for others, sense of responsibility for the environment)
• Environmental education can empower learners to become agents of change in their communities, advocating for sustainable practices and policies, and contributing to the resolution of environmental challenges
• Participation in environmental education programs can lead to increased environmental stewardship, as learners develop the motivation and skills to take action to protect and improve the environment