Science Instruction Outside of the Classroom

Let’s Take It Outside

Re-energize student (and educator) interest throughout the school year with a change of scenery and take students outdoors for science lessons! What better subject than science for teaching outside of the classroom?

Benefits of Learning Outdoors

Science is the study of the natural world, so there are many opportunities for teachers to take the learning outside. The California State Board Education Policy states, “The domain of natural sciences is the natural world”. The goals of teaching science are dependent on observations and understanding of the world around us.

Typically science content is taught inside the classroom. This can create a disconnect with students when learning about natural systems that are immense in size. For example, the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are explored through classroom science practices like scaling down and making models. It can be difficult to convey the scope of these topics because we live inside these robust systems. Teaching outdoors can help students connect science lessons to the world around them and re-engages students in the learning process.

Getting Started is Easy

Choose a time of day when students’ energy begins to lag. This is an ideal time to take students outside to learn and connect science concepts to observations of the natural world.

Taking FOSS Outdoors:

For educators who are currently using FOSS, here are some examples of Outdoor Experiences using the FOSS Next Generation Edition. To see all of the Investigations in FOSS NG that use outdoor experiences, you can check out our Outdoor Experiences in FOSS Next Generation K-8 Chapter below. You will see activities involving plants, animals, weather, matter, motion, energy and more!

Grade/Module	Investigation/Part	Part Title	Outdoor Focus Question/Activity
Gr. K – Trees and Weather	Inv. 2.3	Comparing Leaves	How are leaves different?
Gr. 1 – Sound and Light	Inv. 2.3	Sun and Shadows	How can we use the Sun to create shadows?
Gr. 2 – Pebbles, Sand and Silt	Inv. 4.2	Local Soil	How do soils differ?
Gr. 3 – Water and Climate	Inv. 3.1	Measuring Weather	What does the weather forecast tell us?
Gr. 4 – Environments	Inv. 2.4	Sound Off	How do animals use their sense of hearing?
Gr. 5 – Living Systems	Inv. 3.1	Plant Vascular Systems	How are nutrients transported to cells in a plant?
Gr. 6 – 8 Populations and Ecosystems	Inv. 4.1	The Physical Environment	Activity: Students build mini habitats. They can go outdoors to collect additional materials from the local environment.
Gr. 6 – 8 Electromagnetic Force	Inv. 4.2	Electric Generators	Activity: Students go outdoors to investigate how renewable light energy from the Sun can be transferred into electrical energy to run a motor.
Gr. 6 – 8 Planetary Science	Inv. 1.3	Moon Watch	Activity: Students go outdoors to observe the Moon. They commence observing the Moon daily at home, recording their observations in a Moon log to chart changes in the Moon’s appearance.

Non-FOSS Educators:

For educators who are unsure of where to start or have a digital science curriculum available, consider having students take their science textbooks outdoors to read a section of the current lesson.

Tips for Outdoor Instruction

The first session of outdoor learning might start small, in an area close to your classroom for a short amount of time. Lead students outside and have them sit in a large circle. Briefly explain the activity and check for understanding before having students work in smaller groups.

After a set amount of time (it’s best to start with a short lesson), see what students learned by asking comprehension questions and reiterate that learning can take place anywhere. Try to keep questions general and praise attentiveness when students respond correctly. If students are distracted during your outdoor first session, ask them how they feel after learning outside, rather than on content only.

For additional, more school-wide approaches to outdoor learning, please access: The Lawrence Hall of Science Outdoor Learning Menus: Practical & Imaginative Implementation. As always, the FOSS/FOSS Pathways Team is supportive of your science education journey and available for consultation!