Place-Based Learning

Immersing students in their communities allows them to learn about the world from right in their own backyards.

Exploring the natural world is a powerful strategy for middle and high school. Here are four ways to get students learning outside.

People, places, and problems offer rich opportunities for real-world learning. This unit design framework ensures engaging, aligned learning objectives, experiences, and assessments.

Spending time outside one day each week helps students find a sense of calm and become careful observers of the natural world.

Doing a deep dive into the industrial revolution allows students to understand the history of their city and of child labor.

By creating opportunities for students to study outside, teachers can connect their classes to nature through hands-on lessons.

Going outside helps students focus, and activities for classes from social studies to math can incorporate the natural world.

As elementary students turn squares of paper into animals they’re studying, the age-old Japanese art form makes lessons more memorable.

Place-based learning provides fertile ground for projects that enhance students’ understanding of history.

Having high school students research their town, including the history and local issues, can help them see ways to contribute to their community.

There are plenty of logistics to consider, but educators say outdoor classes keep kids and teachers safer—and provide much-needed fresh air.

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.

When teachers collaborate on projects across subjects, they can drive engagement in all of their classes.

A look at three key considerations in designing the most appropriate service program for your school.

Studying water sources close to home can connect middle school students to environmental issues in their community.