Learning in Nature Benefits Children and Teachers

Nature and green spaces are conducive to both health and learning. Green spaces have been shown to contribute to health and well being and this appears to be especially true for children. Research shows that both teachers and students benefit from exposure to green spaces.

Kids who are exposed to the outdoors not only learn better they are also more physically active which contributes to their overall well being. Even children suffering from learning disabilities like ADHD appear to benefit from exposure to green spaces.

Students are not the only ones who benefit from an outdoor education. It would appear that teachers also benefit which in turn offers added value to the children they are teaching. According to a study from King's College London, teaching outdoors makes educators more confident and enthusiastic about their work, and more innovative in their teaching strategies.

There are a number of innovative approaches to education that take kids into nature. One school that practices this approach is the Toronto District School Board's Forest Valley Outdoor Education Centre.

There are a growing number of resources to help educators who wish to teach their children in natural settings. The David Suzuki Foundation, offer workshops for educators interested in taking students outside. The Foundation's Connecting With Nature guides is a prime example. This guide is intended for children from kindergarten through Grade 8. It includes lesson plans, step-by-step instructions and ideas for engaging local communities.

Learning in green spaces also helps sensitize children and teachers to the value of nature and therefore increases the likelihood that they will work to protect it.

Make sure to see the article titled, "Comprehensive Green School Information and Resources." It contains links to over 200 articles covering everything you need to know about sustainable academics, student's eco-initiatives, green school buildings, and college rankings as well as a wide range of related information and resources.

© 2014, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Climate Science Bill of Rights and a Fact Based Education

In the US a battle is brewing between those who want to teach children the science behind climate change and those who want to teach kids politically motivated revisionism that caters to the agenda of the fossil fuel industry.

The National Research Council is collaboratively working with federal agencies, the National Governors Association, teachers and education experts to develop a new set of science education standards. This science based approach will apply to contentious topics like evolution and climate change.

This is the first time that climate change is being addressed in science education standards. However, some political and religious groups want to censor the teaching of climate science. They disapprove of teaching children a fact based approach to the most pressing issues of our age.

To help counter the efforts of deniers those who seek to provide a truly science based education are coming together in support what is known as the Climate Science Students Bill of Rights.

Climate Science Students Bill of Rights – All students, in every state, have the right to:

• Receive the highest quality science education as determined by educators, free from ideological or political interference.
• Explore the causes and consequences of climate change.
• Learn that meaningful solutions to slowing climate change exist.
• Examine the data and evidence that leads to the established scientific consensus on climate change in a learning environment that encourages inquiry, questioning and understanding.
• Understand how climate science informs social, political, and personal decision-making.

This common sense approach is being challenged by conservative organizations like the Heartland Institute.

The Climate Science Bill of Rights is sponsored by Climate Parents, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the National Center for Science Education and the Alliance for Climate Education.

“It’s unacceptable for students to be denied information about this crisis,” says Climate Parents member John Friedrich. “Young people need to be given the tools to develop solutions” to help solve the the problem of climate change.” 

Kids have the right to a non-politicized science education. Censoring the facts is perilous both for our children and for future generations.

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