Place-Based Learning

            The wind blew through the cornfield; that fall morning was crisp but steadily being warmed by the sun. Smith Rocks was in clear view, majestic as always, adorned with juniper trees and aged by glorious years. A bold, orange hang glider swept past overhead, blackbirds flitting below them. A couple of yellow school buses had just rolled in. There were some engines running, excited chatter, and various animals having discussions of their own. It was a field trip day. It triggered an inspiration in me that had previously been lying dormant; learning in the outdoors is an essential part of education. 

It may not make sense to try to herd a squirrely bunch of children into a circle outside to attain at least some level of focus. The truth is, however, that most kids will thrive better in an outdoor learning environment than if they were to be boxed into a classroom all day. Being in nature helps stimulate our five senses in a balanced and natural way, while sitting in an uncomfortable chair for 7 or more hours a day encourages fidgeting. 

An increase of outdoor learning and diversified field trips is a hands-on way to inspire life-long learning at a young age. Life-long learners are self-motivated people who actively pursue new ideas throughout their entire lives. There's a difference between a child hearing about the work of a farmer, for example, through a YouTube video or parent speaker as compared to physically stepping foot on a working farm or ranch. A child raised in a city could look back on the day they were able to feed livestock by hand for the first time and decide to commit to a related career after they graduate high school. If a particular field trip doesn't inspire a child, then all that matters in the end is they were exposed to a variety of paths to take in life. In a sense, lifelong learning isn't limited to the classroom, but rather should begin in the classroom. It’s less about conforming to standardized tests and more about exploring one’s possibilities according to their interests. “... this type of learning is concerned with the developments of human potential, recognizing each individual’s capacity for it.” (Keith, et al.) 

One of the most direct ways to approach outdoor learning is through place-based learning. This simply means that a school bases their curriculum, projects, and field trips around the landscape of their establishment's location. By being “out in the field,” students are able to participate in more hands-on activities, group problem-solving, and the ability to form a personal connection with a certain piece of land. This connection allows for increased awareness about localized issues, ultimately grafting a sense of pride for a place into a student's heart. Introducing the awareness of how exactly our forests and farms contribute to everyday life in a child’s education is how stewards and strong citizens are formed. When stewards of a town or city are formed, the result doesn’t have to be just another climate activist who follows the crowd. It can result in a higher level of generous individuals who would be more than willing to dive into service learning: learning where “students apply academic concepts to practical situations that involve addressing community needs.” (Drew, Chris, PhD.) Examples of this could include sending out surveys amongst different demographics about controversial topics, pairing up with local churches and charities, or even simply helping out a neighbor in need. By achieving this, high schoolers would volunteer more, not just to gain more volunteer hours, but to make a real impact in their communities out of a place of compassion.