Unveiling the Benefits of Outdoor Education Laboratories

Outdoor education laboratories offer a unique and invaluable approach to learning, enriching the lives of students by providing hands-on experiences in natural settings. For over six decades, the Outdoor Lab program in Jefferson County has been a testament to the transformative power of nature-based education. This article delves into the numerous benefits of incorporating outdoor learning environments into children's education, exploring how these experiences enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and cultivate a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.

The Enduring Legacy of Outdoor Lab

For more than 60 years, Outdoor Lab has been enriching the lives of sixth-grade and high school students in Jefferson County. Generations of students fondly remember their Outdoor Lab adventure, considering it one of their most cherished elementary school memories. The program's enduring success underscores the profound impact of experiential learning in nature.

The Importance of Nature in Education

We intuitively understand that nature and experiences in nature have tangible benefits to our lives. A recently released report from Stanford University documented 119 peer-reviewed studies published over a 20-year period that measured the impacts of environmental education for K-12 students. Your support by the end of the day can make a tremendous difference in the lives of kids growing up in Jeffco and help uplift this unique, local program.

Academic Advantages of Outdoor Education

Enhanced Academic Performance

A study by the American Institute of Research revealed that students perform better in school when their curriculum includes outdoor education. This finding aligns with research conducted by AIR in 2005, which focused on 255 sixth-grade students divided into two groups. The study group attended a five-day outdoor science school, and assessments were conducted before, immediately after, and six to ten weeks following the study. The results demonstrated significant growth in various areas, with science scores on standardized tests increasing by an average of 3 points, a remarkable 27 percent improvement.

Improved Focus and Cognitive Skills

Studies compiled by the Children and Nature Network (C&NN) demonstrate that daily exposure to natural settings increases children’s ability to focus, enhancing cognitive skills. Additionally, a study from the University of Illinois’ Landscape and Human Health Laboratory discovered that access to nature decreases the symptoms of ADHD in children. A more recent study published in 2018 further supports these findings, revealing that students who had a class held outside followed by an indoor classroom lesson were significantly more focused and required less redirection compared to a control group with two indoor classroom lessons.

Read also: Adventure in Education

Application of Concepts to the Real World

Outdoor learning provides children with the opportunity to apply concepts learned inside the classroom to the real world. By exploring nature and connecting classroom lessons to the outdoors, children expand their practical knowledge. This firsthand engagement with the environment fosters a respect for surroundings, nurtures a passion for the land, water, animals, and plants, and enhances their understanding of their place in the natural world.

Holistic Development Through Outdoor Learning

Emotional and Intellectual Growth

Nature is necessary for a child’s well-being-it nurtures their imagination, uplifts the senses, and promotes happiness and productivity. By heading outside and learning in nature, kids improve their emotional, intellectual, and behavioral development. Outdoor learning helps foster the development of creativity, problem-solving, independence, and confidence.

Physical and Mental Health Benefits

When kids head outside, they’re getting physical activity, vitamin D, fresh air, and time away from screens. It’s extremely beneficial to their physical and mental health. England’s National Children’s Bureau performed a comprehensive study on the importance of natural play and outdoor learning. They report that “the powerful combination of a diversity of play experiences and direct contact with nature has direct benefits for children’s physical, mental, and emotional health.

Improved Vision Health and Vitamin D Exposure

Even eye health is improved by spending time outdoors. A presentation at the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2011 showed that the rate of nearsightedness in both children and adults is reduced when more time is spent outside. There is also a positive association with the amount of Vitamin D from sunlight and health in a variety of studies. One of these, published in 2017, focused on the mental health of students as well as their performance on cognitive tests. It was found that students with a decreased level of Vitamin D had a harder time with the cognitive tests and reported more attention deficit and externalized behavior issues.

Mental Health and Stress Reduction

Being in close proximity to nature has other proven mental health benefits. The AIR study noted that children who attended an outdoor education program had a significant increase in their self-esteem. A 2016 study found that parents reported that their children had an improved sense of self-worth and were able to better moderate the impact of stressful life events when they lived in areas close to nature as compared to those that lived in areas with few natural elements. Furthermore, a study in Japan in 2010 indicated that spending time walking in a forest and taking in the forest atmosphere (as compared to being in a city) resulted in a decrease in cortisol, lower blood pressure and pulse rate, and better nerve activity.

Social and Personal Development

Enhanced Social Skills

When you take learning outside and give kids the chance to work together, magic happens! Students often learn best when learning from one another, so giving them that chance improves not only their academics but also their social skills. Outdoor education programs provide students a chance to make new friends and make up for lost time! Even in areas where there is still a high risk of disease transference, classes held outside can provide for increased social distancing while still providing a fun and interactive learning environment for kids away from technology.

Opportunities for All Students to Shine

Not all students blossom in a traditional classroom setting. While students who learn best through auditory and reading/writing learning styles tend to do well, many other students are left behind and frustrated. With outdoor education, students who learn best through tactile and kinesthetic means and visual learners can also have a fun time learning new things. Teachers in the aforementioned AIR study reported that classes held outside allowed all students the “opportunity to shine,” including at-risk students, students with special needs, ADHD, or students with disabilities. The AIR study also noted significant gains in English language learner (EL) students, who would otherwise be struggling in a traditional classroom.

Fostering Environmental Stewardship

Another benefit that comes with having kids in outdoor education programs is that they become stewards of our natural world. When kids are exposed to wild places and concepts such as habitat and species preservation, they are much more likely to care and begin to become more conservation-minded at home and in their community. The AIR study noted this as well. Parents reported significant gains in students participating in environmentally conscious activities at home, such as recycling, after they attended outdoor education programs. At the end of the day, the youth of today are the ones who will inherit our planet tomorrow.

Engaging and Enjoyable Learning Experiences

Increased Interest and Retention

One of the best ways to engage kids in learning is by making classes interesting and fun. Kids are more likely to pay attention, enjoy the interactions, and retain information if they are interested in the topic and excited by their studies. Kids are quick to respond positively to this type of learning setting. More than 350 youths in a study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2014 were surveyed to determine their attitudes toward outdoor play. A vast majority of these kids responded that being outdoors in nature had a positive effect on them.

Autonomy and Experimentation

Increased autonomy and the chance to experiment in outdoor learning environments is something that comes up time and again. In a 2015 study looking at the motivational behavior of students in outdoor science classrooms, several factors came to light. For instance, word association in science lessons taught in a traditional school classroom had “interested” and “boring” as the two most popular responses, in about equal measure. Clearly, not all children were not having a positive experience.

Teachable Moments

Educational topics can be taught just as well on school trips outside the classroom, and often better, through teachable moments along the way. Instructors can use children’s curiosity in our natural world to augment lessons by teaching beyond the test. Creating discussions around something interesting, and often unplanned, that the kids have observed are often what they remember the most! A 2013 study published in the Journal of Science and Research highlights the importance of capturing these moments. The article identifies why teachable moments are important and how best to utilize them in student learning. Unstructured play can also lead to great teachable moments. When children lead the play, it opens the door for creativity, exploration, and sensory development. Kids often learn best through doing - and if they have questions about what they discover or their interest is piqued - you can open up a dialog.

STEM Education in the Outdoors

The Intersection of Outdoor Activities and STEM

The natural world is a dynamic, ever-changing environment that offers countless opportunities for STEM exploration. Unlike the confines of a classroom, the outdoors provides real-world scenarios where students can engage directly with science, technology, engineering, and math in action. Whether it’s studying the intricate patterns of a spider’s web or observing the erosion of a riverbank, nature serves as a living laboratory where STEM concepts become tangible and relatable. Outdoor activities seamlessly integrate STEM learning by encouraging curiosity and observation. For example, a simple hike can become a biology lesson as students identify different plant species, or a physics experiment as they measure the trajectory of a rock thrown into a stream. These experiences foster critical thinking, as students ask questions, hypothesize outcomes, and test their ideas in real time. Moreover, outdoor settings naturally incorporate engineering and technology. Activities like building a bridge from natural materials or designing a system to collect rainwater challenge students to think creatively and apply engineering principles. Similarly, technology like GPS devices or weather monitoring tools connects students to modern scientific practices, enhancing their understanding of how these tools are used in real-world applications.

Examples of Outdoor STEM Activities

Outdoor activities are a treasure trove of STEM learning opportunities, blending exploration and education in engaging, hands-on ways.

Nature Walks: Identify plant species, measure tree heights, and track the growth of flowers to teach observation, measurement, and documentation.
Geocaching and Orienteering: Use GPS devices, maps, and compasses to navigate courses, honing skills in spatial reasoning, geometry, and technological literacy.
Building Projects: Engineer structures like bridges, towers, or shelters using natural materials, introducing principles of physics, structural engineering, and problem-solving.
Water Quality Testing: Collect and analyze water samples to measure pH levels, test for pollutants, and explore the impact of environmental factors on water quality.
Astronomy Nights: Observe stars, planets, and constellations to learn about light, gravity, and the scale of the universe.
Weather Observation: Measure and track weather patterns using thermometers, anemometers, and barometers to learn about meteorology, statistics, and technology.
Ecosystem Studies: Explore ecosystems by observing wildlife, mapping habitats, or monitoring biodiversity to teach ecological principles, data management, and the importance of conservation.
Renewable Energy Projects: Build simple solar ovens, wind turbines, or water wheels to introduce students to engineering and energy concepts.
Gardening and Agriculture Experiments: Plant and maintain a garden to learn lessons in biology, chemistry, and environmental science.

Integrating Outdoor STEM Activities

Educators and parents can integrate outdoor STEM activities into educational routines by:

Utilizing nearby resources like schoolyards, parks, or backyards.
Planning activities around specific STEM learning goals.
Encouraging inquiry-based learning and student-led exploration.
Using technology to enhance learning and data collection.
Organizing collaborative group activities.
Tying activities to real-world applications and careers.
Incorporating seasonal and community opportunities.
Ensuring activities are safe and accessible for all participants.
Reflecting on observations and connecting them to STEM concepts.

Long-Term Impact of Outdoor STEM Learning

Outdoor STEM learning fosters qualities and abilities that extend far beyond the classroom:

Sparking lifelong curiosity about the world.
Building practical skills for the future, such as problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability.
Strengthening environmental stewardship and a sense of responsibility.
Enhancing career readiness by introducing real-world applications of STEM principles.
Fostering social and emotional growth, promoting mental health and resilience.
Cultivating a growth mindset, emphasizing effort, learning, and perseverance.

Creating Effective Outdoor Classrooms

More than ever, schools are recognizing that the best learning doesn’t always happen inside. This article explores how thoughtfully designed outdoor classrooms can elevate learning across ages, subjects, and seasons. Research has long shown that spending even just a few minutes outside in a natural setting has a positive effect on anyone’s mentally and physical wellbeing. But there have been a myriad of revelations about the positive benefits that nature can provide specifically for students. Academically speaking, studies on outdoor classrooms and other nature-based education reflects an increase in academic performance.

Design Considerations for Outdoor Classrooms

While technically you could throw a few desks outside, put them next to a tree, and call it an outdoor classroom, any effective learning environment requires a bit more consideration. Outdoor spaces must be intentionally designed, with features that support both instruction and exploration. One of the most important design considerations when creating any learning environment is student safety. “Immediately, we need to think about things like line of sight - can I still see and hear all my students? - as well as what we need to build or have in the environment to keep them protected,” says Victoria Veneziano, Learning Experience Coordinator at Meteor Education.

Key Features of Effective Outdoor Classrooms

Flexible Seating: Outdoor classrooms should offer the same opportunities for choice and agency that are present in strong indoor environments. Flexible seating, movable workstations, and space to group or spread out allow students to decide how they learn best in the moment.
Durable Materials: Every element in the space, from seating to storage, should be built to withstand weather, movement, and daily use. Materials need to hold up to sun, rain, wind, and temperature swings.
Protection from the Sun: Shade structures help keep students cool, focused, and safe, especially during warmer months when UV exposure can quickly become a health concern.
Storage: For outdoor classrooms to work long-term, teachers need easy access to the tools of their trade. That might mean weather-safe storage bins, portable carts, or designated areas for art, science, or writing supplies.
Technology Integration: Rolling A/V equipment, smart boards, and other digital tools can extend the functionality of outdoor spaces without disrupting their natural rhythm.

The Cultural Shift Towards Outdoor Learning

More than a design challenge, creating effective outdoor classrooms is a cultural shift. For outdoor learning to become routine, educators need support in understanding the value it provides. It also helps to model the behavior. When school leaders use outdoor spaces themselves - for meetings, activities, or events - it sends a strong signal that learning doesn’t have to stay indoors. The foundation for outdoor learning starts early. When pre-K and elementary students are introduced to the outdoors as a space for exploration - not just where the playground lives - it shapes how they approach learning for years to come. Play is the most natural form of learning. Older students still need space for unstructured, hands-on learning, but school environments often leave little room for it. Outdoor classrooms give middle and high school learners permission to rediscover that freedom. “Bringing learning outside gives you space, laughter, and play,” says Veneziano. “And we forget sometimes that play is the most organic and natural way of learning.

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