Taking Class Outdoors with Environmental Education

TL;DR

Students at the School of Environmental Studies engage in hands-on, project-based learning in an interdisciplinary environment focused on environmental education.

Transcript

Narrator: The sounds of spring in Apple Valley, Minnesota, rain falling, birds singing, and students learning. >>Teacher: Open up "Find Wild Ginger." It's on page 59. >>Narrator: These students at the School of Environmental Studies, just outside Minneapolis, are learning to identify the plants growing around a pond next to their school. >>Teache... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎓 The School of Environmental Studies provides a unique interdisciplinary approach to education, integrating environmental education into various subjects.
• 🤗 Hands-on exploration and real-world applications of knowledge help students gain a deeper understanding and remember what they've learned.
• 🥳 Involvement with the community and engagement in community service work are integral parts of the school's philosophy.
• 👾 The school's personalized learning environment, flexible space, and house concept contribute to a sense of personalization and individualized learning.
• 👨‍🏫 The school's design, without traditional classrooms, encourages different behaviors and focuses on the learner.
• 💪 Students at the school develop a strong sense of confidence and a commitment to lifelong learning.
• 💪 The school's emphasis on environmental education helps students build a stronger connection to the subject matter.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does hands-on learning benefit students at the School of Environmental Studies?

Hands-on learning at the school provides students with a more engaging and effective way to learn. Through real-world applications of their knowledge, students gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter and develop valuable skills.

Q: How does the school involve the community in their learning?

The school places a strong emphasis on community service work and engagement. Students are involved in various activities at the local zoo, from animal behavior studies to theater performances, and they also work with local cities and organizations to contribute to environmental conservation efforts.

Q: How does the environmental focus affect the students at the school?

The environmental focus at the school enhances the students' connection to their learning. Many of them have personal experiences with the outdoors, such as hiking and camping, which allows them to build on that connection and apply their knowledge in a meaningful way.

Q: How does the school's approach to learning impact student confidence?

The hands-on, project-based approach at the school gives students a sense of confidence and accomplishment. They gain the confidence that they can do anything and develop a sense of how they want to live their lives and contribute to society.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Students at the School of Environmental Studies engage in hands-on exploration to learn about the plants growing around their school, and apply their knowledge through a survey of plant material for the City's Parks Department.

• The school's unique interdisciplinary approach raises the bar for student performance and helps them remember what they've learned.

• In addition to traditional subjects, the school's environmental focus informs everything, from art to multimedia production, and everything is integrated into the students' daily lives.