outdoor education program - montgomery county schools “i hear and i forget. i see and i remember....
TRANSCRIPT
Outdoor Education Program - Montgomery County Schools“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.”
Providing opportunities
for all students to engage in
authentic, interdisciplinary
learning experiences outside
the four walls of a classroom.
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Overview
• What is outdoor education?
• What are the program components and how are MCPS curricular goals integrated?
• What other functions and opportunities are provided by outdoor education programs?
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Outdoor Education:
• What do you think you might see?
• What do you think you might hear?
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
And some we may not have thought of:
Students working together to solve problems
Quick research to find an answer
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
What is Outdoor Education ? It is defined broadly as “education
in, about, and for the –out-of-
doors.”
The philosophy is to promote
commitment to stewardship of the
land; to strengthen the knowledge
base of the interrelationships
among all facets of the
ecosystem; and to increase the
exploration of the environment as
a medium for leisure.
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Major Goals of the Outdoor Education Program
• Make students’ educational programs more meaningful by applying the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom to real-life situations.
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Major Goals of
the Program
• Provide students with first hand experiences in using scientific processes including observing, classifying, hypothesizing, predicting, measuring, and analyzing.
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Major goals of the program
• Engage students with performance-based, authentic learning opportunities and experiences.
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Major goals of the program
• Begin the cultivation of students’ awareness, knowledge, appreciation, and concern for their natural environment
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Outdoor Education Programs• Residential outdoor education
for students at:
• Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center
• Summit Lake Camp
• Skycroft Conference Center
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Residential Outdoor Education
• Supports and extends the enduring understandings for science
• Provides applications of the scientific inquiry method
• Uses appropriate technology ( GPS units, data bases, Automated Weather Systems )
• Supports use of mathematics as a tool to solve everyday problems
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Residential Outdoor Education (continued) • Provides practice with
proportions, data and statistics, measurement and geometric concepts
• Provides students with opportunities to address the four processes of balanced literacy program: listening, speaking, reading and writing
• Facilitates student collaboration
• Provides leadership opportunities
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Outdoor education learning opportunities correlate highly to performance-based learning...
• Outdoor Education...
• Is multidisciplinary
• Combines independent and cooperative learning
• Emphasizes authentic learning experiences
• Increases students’ background knowledge
• Involves prediction, application and extension of classroom knowledge
• Provides authentic assessment opportunities
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Outdoor education learning opportunities correlate highly to performance-based learning (continued)
• Performance based learning ...
• Integrates all disciplines: reading, writing, science, math and social studies
• Combines independent and cooperative activities
• Emphasizes authentic problem solving and solutions
• Provides content and assesses student skills and critical thinking
Instructional Activities
These Areas of Study Are Possible at All Outdoor Education Centers
These Areas of Study Are Possible at All Outdoor Education Centers
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Watershed Study
• Students explore the meaning of the watershed and learn their place in it
• Collect and analyze data to determine stream health at outdoor education
• Apply the techniques and knowledge to study their local stream
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Predator/Prey• Students will research
predator/prey relationships
• At outdoor education students will participate in a simulation activity and collect data based on their experience
• Students will analyze the data to better understand the roles of animals in the food chain
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Orienteering
• Working as a team, students will find orienteering poles located at various places at the outdoor education site.
• Students utilize topographic maps, compasses and GPS units to navigate.
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Forest Community
• Students will increase their awareness and appreciation of the total forest community
• During forest exploration the students will study unique trees, identify trees, explore leaf and soil samples.
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Wildlife • Students will be involved in
a series of outdoor activities focusing on various aspects of the wildlife community.
• These might include simulation games, hikes observing evidence of wildlife, surveys, and studies of animal adaptation.
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Weather
• Students may collect authentic weather data at a variety of locations at each outdoor education site.
• Students will gain experience using weather-related instruments, interpreting data, and making a weather forecast.
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Local History
• Each site presents students with evidence of the past history of the area.
• Observation and small group discussion give students a glimpse of past customs and ways of life.
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Confidence Course
• Each center has a confidence course comprised of mentally and physically challenging events.
• All activities are designed to increase confidence, promote teamwork, and improve human relations.
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Other Possible Areas of Study
• Astronomy
• Ecology
• Geology
• Field and Meadow Community
• Automated Weather Service (4-Winds weather station) is available at the Smith Center
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Outdoor Education Preparation
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
What to Pack
• Sturdy footwear
• Hat
• Gloves or mittens (cold weather)
• Jacket
• Sweatshirts
• Sweaters
• Long pants or jeans
• Pajamas
• Shirts
• Socks (lots!)
• Underwear
• Waterproof raincoat or poncho
• Sheets and blanket or sleeping bag, pillow
• Toiletry items
• Bag lunch (no glass bottles)
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
What You Might Pack
• Shorts for rec time
• Binoculars
• Disposable (recycling) camera
• Compass
• Flashlight
• Lip balm, sunscreen
• Insect repellant (non-aerosol)
• Slippers
• Shower cap
• Flip-flops or sandals for shower use
• Stationary and stamps
• Pen or pencil
• Watch
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
What NOT to Pack
• Electronic devices
• Aerosol Sprays
• Curling Irons
• Firearms
• Knives
• Hair dryers
• Matches
• Money
• Glass bottles
• Gum, candy, or food
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Forms Needed: Permission Medical
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Outdoor Education at the Smith Center
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
CABINS
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Cabin Interior
Classroom
Bunks
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Bathrooms
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Dining Hall
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Planetarium
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
Nurse’s Office
“Nothing is real until it is experienced”
“ Americans have long thought
that nature could take care
of itself-or that, if it did not,
the consequences were
someone else’s problem.
As we know now, that
assumption was wrong,
none of us is a stranger
to environmental problems.”
-Jimmy Carter, 39th president