Using outdoor spaces to promote student curiosity and learning
By Dr Robert Dillon
Utilizing the great outdoors as a classroom offers boundless opportunities to enrich education and ignite student curiosity. Imagine biology lessons in the midst of nature, sustainability projects in school gardens, and creative art classes using natural materials. Engaging with nature not only enhances learning through physical activity and mindfulness but also fosters a profound connection with the environment.
We can no longer be bound to the resources and materials in our classrooms alone. It is essential that we stretch the walls of learning throughout the campus and around the community. In doing so, we will engage students in deeper ways, create experiences that aren’t possible in traditional spaces and reconnect our students to a greater sense of place. Here are some actionable ideas for educators looking to integrate the outdoors into their educational practices:
Nature as a Learning Space
Transform school gardens, local parks, or any green space into an outdoor classroom. Regular sessions outside can provide a dynamic learning environment where subjects like science, art, and even math can be taught through nature. For instance, a biology lesson can be more impactful when students can directly interact with the subjects of their study, such as plants and insects.
Promote Environmental Stewardship
Students are concerned about the future of the planet, and they want to be a part of the solution, so use outdoor learning to foster this sense of environmental responsibility. Activities like planting trees, creating butterfly gardens, or maintaining a school vegetable garden can teach students about sustainability and the importance of ecosystems.
Cultural and Historical Learning
We can never divorce ourselves from where we are learning. Our homes and community have a great influence on how we grow and go. Linking students to home and community through place-based learning can create future leaders and solution makers especially in small and rural communities. In addition, remember that outdoor spaces can be excellent venues for cultural history education. For instance, create a trail that features local history or indigenous plant species, offering students a living lesson in their region’s heritage and natural history.
Utilize Flexible Seating and Natural Elements
Create spaces that use natural elements such as logs, stumps, or rocks for seating and workspaces. This not only minimizes cost but also enhances the aesthetic connection to nature, promoting well-being and creativity. There are many models for outdoor classrooms and play space. By looking to blend learning into the space as opposed to constructing permanent structures outdoors, you are creating future flexibility and remaining thoughtful about maintenance and upkeep.
Mindfulness and Reflection Areas
Nature is the great harmonizer. It takes just minutes outside to get a number of health benefits, so designate a quiet area where students can have moments of reflection or practice mindfulness. This can be especially beneficial in reducing stress and increasing students’ capacity for emotional regulation.
Interdisciplinary Project
Projects need space, and that space is rarely found inside a classroom, so design projects that require cross-curricular outdoor activities—like a weather station for science and math data collection or an art installation using natural materials. This approach not only diversifies learning but also encourages collaboration and critical thinking.
Incorporate Physical Movement
Even modern classrooms that feature flexible and agile furnishings can’t compete with the movement that comes from being outside. Learning in outdoor spaces naturally encourages physical activity. Movement has been shown to boost cognitive function and overall mental health, which can enhance learning and attentiveness.
In summary, as a leader of learning take all of the spaces that you have available into consideration when you are designing a learning experience. It will engage, connect and grow students in so many ways including in their desire to discover, explore and be curious. To make this come to life, plan regular outdoor lessons to ensure that students have consistent exposure to this learning mode, involve students in the design of learning experiences to increase their commitment and interest in learning outdoors, consider safety and accessibility concerns as all great learning is built through these lenses. Finally, by integrating these strategies and making outdoor learning a priority, the joy of teaching and learning can reemerge in new ways and build new energy that comes from the natural beauty and fresh air that exists beyond the hallways and classrooms of our schools.
