Outdoor Science: A Practical Guide

Research shows that environment-centered education improves student achievement. Whatever your school’s setting―urban, suburban, or rural―you can create stimulating outdoor classrooms for your students, with a little help from Outdoor Science. Author and state science specialist Steve Rich shows teachers how to create outdoor learning spaces that can be used from year to year―with little extra effort or resources. These practical suggestions for creating, maintaining, and using outdoor classrooms work for both elementary and middle school students. The simple and inexpensive lessons satisfy national standards and curriculum objectives in the areas of life, Earth, and environmental sciences―without a field trip permission slip in sight! Math, social studies, and language arts activities that can be easily integrated into the curriculum are also included. Additionally, Rich offers ideas for increasing community involvement and funding to help teachers develop their outdoor classrooms. Get your students thinking outside the traditional classroom walls. Outdoor Science: A Practical Guide can help you make it happen.

Steve Rich taught middle and elementary school in Georgia for 15 years before he became a state science specialist and director of a science center. He writes books based on his experiences as a teacher, nature lover, amatuer lepidopterist, and as a father.