Outdoor Biodiversity Lab

Summary

This video highlights a unique outdoor classroom experience where students engage in nature-based learning. Activities like creating tree cookies, nature scavenger hunts, and tree identification promote cross-grade collaboration. High school students contribute by designing educational games, while younger children learn about Michigan's ecosystems, invasive species, and habitats. The classroom is set in a scenic outdoor space with a pond, wetland, and forest, offering hands-on science education. Students share their enthusiasm for learning in nature, fostering a deeper connection to the environment and a meaningful educational experience for all involved.

Takeaways

• 😀 The outdoor classroom initiative was created because kids enjoy learning outdoors.
• 😀 Training from Project Learning Tree and Project Wild provided valuable outdoor learning strategies.
• 😀 One current activity involves making tree cookie necklaces, with high school students cutting them and multiple grade levels collaborating.
• 😀 Outdoor activities include nature scavenger hunts, tree identification, and leaf rubbing projects.
• 😀 Tree identification plaques have been created to help students learn about native trees in Michigan.
• 😀 The outdoor classroom is a community resource, offering a beautiful space for learning for students and the general public.
• 😀 The area features ecosystems like ponds, wetlands, and forests, offering rich learning opportunities.
• 😀 Students can explore and observe local wildlife like turtles and frogs, especially in spring.
• 😀 The outdoor classroom enhances student engagement, especially for those who dislike traditional science classes.
• 😀 Students are learning environmental science topics (e.g., invasive species and habitats) through hands-on projects.
• 😀 Students are also creating projects designed to teach younger children, reinforcing their own learning in the process.

Q & A

What prompted the creation of the outdoor classroom?

The outdoor classroom was created after realizing that the children enjoyed learning outside and wanted to explore outdoor activities. Training from Project Learning Tree and Project Wild also provided inspiration for various outdoor learning ideas.

What is a key activity currently being worked on in the outdoor classroom?

One of the key activities is creating 'tree cookies'—necklaces made from tree slices cut by high school students. This project is part of a broader effort to engage various grade levels and classes.

How is the outdoor classroom structured across grade levels?

The outdoor classroom involves multiple grade levels and subject areas. Activities are being carried out by geometry, art, and kindergarten classes, among others, ensuring that the learning experience spans across different age groups and disciplines.

What is the nature scavenger hunt activity about?

Students have developed four nature scavenger hunt games where younger children walk around outdoors with clipboards, identifying living and non-living things in nature. The aim is to foster awareness and observation of the environment.

What kind of tree identification tool is used in the outdoor classroom?

Tree identification plaques have been created. These plaques feature a cover labeled 'Who am I?' that, when lifted, provides information about native Michigan trees. On the back, there is a tin-punched leaf created by students, which children can use to take leaf rubbings.

How does the outdoor classroom integrate local ecosystems?

The outdoor classroom integrates local ecosystems by providing access to a pond, wetlands, and forests, all within the same area. This setup allows students to observe and learn about different ecosystems and habitats in one location.

What does the outdoor classroom offer to the wider community?

The outdoor classroom is open to the community, serving as a space not only for the students but also for the broader Clark's community and anyone who discovers it. It is described as a 'hidden gem' with various opportunities for nature observation.

How does the outdoor classroom impact students' engagement with science?

The outdoor classroom has helped increase student engagement with science. Many students previously disliked science and classroom learning, but through hands-on outdoor activities like learning about invasive species and habitats, they have developed a more positive and practical understanding of science.

How do students showcase their knowledge in the outdoor classroom?

Students showcase their knowledge by creating projects aimed at teaching younger children. For example, they design educational materials about science topics, which they simplify for younger audiences, demonstrating their understanding of the subject matter.

How do students feel about participating in the outdoor classroom projects?

Students report feeling highly engaged and fulfilled by the outdoor classroom projects. One student mentioned that it was the best project they had ever been involved in, emphasizing the satisfaction of working with nature and knowing that their efforts were meaningful to both the environment and themselves.