Education in Classrooms:
Traditional learning, re-imagined
The classroom is a great, familiar space to introduce kids to the wonders of nature, and we love to work with teachers to make either regular (e.g. weekly) or one-off visits. Our staff offer a variety of lessons for all ages, ranging from animal tracks to bird identification, from nature journaling to climate change. And: our programming is free to you! We get kids outside as much as we can, and just as importantly, we are working very hard to make access to nature safe, equitable, and appealing to diverse communities.
Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (SoWBA) educators visit between 200-300 kids each week in the Madison area. In response to COVID-19, our staff created virtual lessons and also makes weekly virtual visits with classrooms.
Students at Lincoln Elementary School in Madison, WI participate in a school-wide birdathon field day supported in part by Badgerland Bird Alliance. Photo by Carolyn Byers/SoWBA
“Before I would look at a bird and I wouldn’t care about it because I thought they were all the same. But now I know the little things we can do for these birds make a lot of difference.”
Why Nature-based Education?
Getting kids outside has innumerable benefits, including increased academic performance, better physical health, and better social skills. Photo by Carolyn Byers / SoWBA
Today's kids spend as little as thirty minutes outside each day, and almost seven hours in front of computer, smartphone, or television screens. Yet research shows that being outside is essential to kids' healthy development.
A key component of our mission at SoWBA is to get more kids outside, where they can have FUN engaging with and learning about our natural world. Whether it is in their own neighborhood, at a nearby park, or at one of our two wildlife sanctuaries, we take kids outside where they can explore, investigate, and discover new things about themselves and the world they inhabit.
Here's why we think nature-based education is vitally important:
It WORKS: Studies document increased school performance, better student attitudes, and improved behavior among students who participate in outdoor education. Nature-based education is relevant, hands-on, and experiential.
It's HEALTHY: Students increase their physical activity level, and being outside enhances mental and social health. Studies show that access to nature can decrease symptoms of ADHD.
It's FUN: Learning about nature is a change of pace from typical classroom learning. Research indicated increased student enthusiasm for learning outdoors - and we see it all the time during our school and community center programs!
It CONNECTS: Kids who feel connected to the natural world feel more connected to their peers, families, and communities. Through connection to place, students develop stronger civic engagement skills. Outdoor and nature-based education is helping to build the next generation of environmental stewards.
*Research cited from the University of Wisconsin-Steven's Point's outdoor education research summary
Banner photo: students learning together
