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Here we provide links to
resources for teachers interested in exploring ways to integrate outdoor learning experiences
into their work with students of all ages. Teachers and nonprofit educational organizations
are invited to send us pictures and stories from the outdoor
classrooms and learning activities they create. The picture at the right was sent to us from
the newest addition to our list, the Elm Fork Education Center at the University of North Texas.
See their listing below for details and a link to their website.
Links
for Learning:
Texas
Parks & Wildlife Department
Be sure to explore all around the education section of
the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department site. There
are virtual tours, listings of free seminars, ways you
can connect with other teachres, and a host of ideas you
can use to bring nature into the classroom, and the classroom
into nature. Don't overlook the Teacher
Tool Kit, which has some very specific lesson plans
you can use, with back-up information and resources.
Heard
Museum School Resources
For teachers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the Heard
Museum is a wonderful resource. Go to this page for information
about their education programs, and details how to contact
them about programs you are interested in.
Elm Fork Education Center
Affiliated with the University of North Texas, the mission of
the Elm Fork Education Center is "to develop and implement premiere
environmental education programs" that engage students in field activities and
discovery experiences.
Their Outdoor Environmental Learning Area (ODELA) is pictured above, and is a
7,000 square foot aquatic, geological, and archaeological classroom designed for hands-on
exploration by students of all ages. Visit their website to learn more about ongoing and
special programs, and about the unique ODELA facility.
National
Wildlife Federation
One way that many schools have integrated environmental
studies into their curriculum is to start a "native
habitat" on the school grounds. From planning to
planting to taking care and watching it grow, it can grow
into a great hands-on learning lab available just outside
the door. This site has all kinds of useful tips to start
a "backyard habitat" that can be applied anywhere
a little bit of dirt exists along with the willingness
to dig it up and help something to happen there. Be sure
to check out the link to Gardening With Kids which leads
to a whole variety of resources and information for teachers and parents both.
Bell
Museum
A fun and educational "build your own prairie" site that will help your kids
learn more about prairie ecology, including the mammals, reptiles, insects and
birds that live there.
Hooker
Oak Elementary
Here is a wonderful example of what one group of parents
and teachers did at their school! It's truly turned into
a community project. The page has links at the bottom
to some other very useful information and teaching materials,
all hosted by California State University at Chico.
Send
Us Your Address!
We are happy to add links to any online information you
have about your school-related outdoor classroom projects,
by the way. Send an email with the link and a description
to webmaster@seedsource.com
and we will add them to this list.
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