Getting kids outdoors...no matter the age! - Eric Giesing

FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY’S
KANSAS WETLANDS
EDUCATION CENTER
Education Center
Kans
Get kids outdoors?
• Why should I take my students outdoors?
It starts with you!!!!!
What do you want your students to leave your
class with?
Build a Foundation
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Science foundation to all knowledge
Sparked from curiosity, not memorizing
Opportunities to explore and question
Textbooks?
Nature?
Anxiety
Practicality
• Most days in classroom
Teaching Methods
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Interactive/Interaction
Relationships/Trust
Jigsaw
Break into new groups
Presentations
Mix it up
Kids teach kids
– To teach is to learn
Class Pet? Are you crazy?
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Studies show increase classroom engagement
Reduce anxiety
Feel more comfortable
Responsibility and respect
Practical, Yet Creative
• Symbiotic relationships:
Commensalism +/0
Parasitism +/Predation +/Mutualism +/+
Neutralism 0/0
Ammensalism -/0
Competition -/-
Commensalism +/0
Ammensalism 0/Parasitism +/Predation +/Mutualism +/+
Neutralism 0/0
Competition -/-
Commensalism
Commensalism +/0
Ammensalism 0/Parasitism +/Predation +/Mutualism +/+
Neutralism 0/0
Competition -/-
Commensalism
Commensalism +/0
Ammensalism 0/Parasitism +/Predation +/Mutualism +/+
Neutralism 0/0
Competition -/-
Parasitism
Living Soil?
Realistic Outdoor Ideas
Journal
• Educate students on objectives
• Guide and let them go
– Draw
– Write
– Paint
Independent Studies
• 15 day studies?
– Collect data
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Which trees turn first
Swipe areas for bacteria and grow on agar
Perch and plant
Mammal populations
Outdoor classrooms
Nature Photography
Un-mowed Areas
Rotting Logs/Herp Boards
Special Places
Nature hikes/exploratory walks
Scent Stations
Animal Attractants
• Overripe fruit, stale fruit juice, sweetener
(sugar, honey), mix spread come back
Bird houses and feeders
School gardens
Collections
Let explore
• Field guides
Extra Curricular Activity
• Science clubs
• Scouts, 4H
Use Resources
Fish Everywhere
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv2v2kniLb8&feature=youtu.be
Questions?
• Contact me at ergiesing@fhsu.edu or at the
Kansas Wetlands Education Center 620-7867456
• We would love to help or answer questions.