George Lucas Educational Foundation

Place-Based Learning

Location, location, location! See what happens when schoolwork explores students’ connections with local history, environment, culture, or economy.

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  • How to Set Up Outdoor Class Time With Elementary Students

    Spending time outside one day each week helps students find a sense of calm and become careful observers of the natural world.
    Alissa Alteri Shea
    532
  • With Safety in Mind, Schools Take Classes Outdoors

    There are plenty of logistics to consider, but educators say outdoor classes keep kids and teachers safer—and provide much-needed fresh air.
    12.9k
  • Outdoor Science Lessons Foster Environmental Stewardship

    By creating opportunities for students to study outside, teachers can connect their classes to nature through hands-on lessons.
    495
  • A Place-Based Study of the Industrial Revolution for Elementary Students

    Doing a deep dive into the industrial revolution allows students to understand the history of their city and of child labor.
    201
  • Using Origami to Teach Children About Endangered Animals

    As elementary students turn squares of paper into animals they’re studying, the age-old Japanese art form makes lessons more memorable.
    1.2k
  • Capitalizing on the Pedagogy of Place

    Place-based learning provides fertile ground for projects that enhance students’ understanding of history.
    386
  • 7 Tips for Moving Learning Outside

    Though it can seem daunting, getting students outdoors for even 30 minutes offers many benefits, during the pandemic and beyond. This checklist can help get you started.
    916
  • Simple Ways to Bring Learning Outside

    Going outside helps students focus, and activities for classes from social studies to math can incorporate the natural world.
    1.2k
  • Building a Sustainable Future—One Classroom at a Time

    A mini-golf course, a canoe trip down the local river, a discussion about environmental justice. Here’s how schools are teaching students about environmental science.
    799
  • Engaging Students With Community-Based Projects

    Having high school students research their town, including the history and local issues, can help them see ways to contribute to their community.
    454
  • A Place-Based Approach to PBL

    A veteran teacher and author discusses how to bring fieldwork into your project-based learning curriculum.
    1.3k
  • Developing a Robust Community Engagement Program

    A look at three key considerations in designing the most appropriate service program for your school.
    276
  • Exploring Local Waterways in Place-Based Environmental Education

    Studying water sources close to home can connect middle school students to environmental issues in their community.
    210
  • Bringing Core Content to Life With Outdoor Education

    When students step out of the classroom and explore the concepts they’ve learned about, they deepen their understanding of science, themselves, and the world.
    352
  • When Your School Is a Museum

    In Grand Rapids, Michigan, an award-winning school has been the catalyst for a district turnaround after a 20-year decline.
    765

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George Lucas Educational Foundation

Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.
Edutopia® and Lucas Education Research™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of the George Lucas Educational Foundation in the U.S. and other countries.