Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia
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  • Our Story
    • About EEA
      • About Env Ed
      • About Env Stewardship
      • About Env Justice
      • About Our Organizational Members
      • About Our History
  • Our Team
    • Advisory Council
    • Board Portal
  • Our Resources
    • Earth Month Activities
    • Garden-based Learning
    • EcoEngineering Challenges
    • Participatory (Citizen) Science
    • Problem-Based Learning
    • Place-Based Learning
    • Project-Based Learning
    • SAGES Project
    • Virtual EE Resources
  • Our Work
    • EE Landscape Analysis
    • Professional Learning
    • ATEEG
      • ATEEG: Why Get Certified?
      • ATEEG History & Accreditation
      • ATEEG Certification Advisory Board
      • ATEEG CAB Portal
        • ATEEG Presentation
        • ATEEG CAB Info Packet
        • ATEEG Responsibilities
        • ATEEG Budget
        • ATEEG Framework
        • ATEEG Reports to NAAEE
        • ATEEG Meeting Notes
    • CoOL
      • CoOL RESEARCH on Outdoor Learning
        • Stanford Key Findings on EE
        • Frontiers Special Edition
      • CoOL AWARDS & GRANTS
      • CoOL ToolKit ToC
      • CoOL Toolkit Survey
      • CoOL Toolkit Map
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        • Buy Milkweed
      • Symbolic Migration
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      • Mapping Milkweeds for Monarchs in GA
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OUR WORK
Council of Outdoor Learning

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Outdoor Learning SYMPOSIUM
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Outdoor Learning RESEARCH
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Outdoor Learning TOOLKIT (scroll down)
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Outdoor Learning AWARDS
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Outdoor Learning GRANTS

CoOL Toolkit for Outdoor Learning 

A how-to guide for setting up outdoor learning spaces, instructional strategies, and tips for sustainability
Introduction
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EEA's Council of Outdoor Learning has created the CoOL Toolkit for Outdoor Learning to make it easier for schools to extend learning beyond the classroom walls.  From creating schoolyard learning stations to selecting lessons and managing students outdoors, this Toolkit covers much of the information a school would need to implement outdoor learning effectively.

Providing an authentic, real-world context for learning is always valuable but during the epidemic, outdoor learning can be even more important as an instructional strategy that prioritizes the health and safety of students.

Many school districts welcomed students back to the classroom by eliminating ​labs and investigations. The lack of space available for hands on activities in light of covid distancing guidelines - which also necessitate that students face the same direction and require disinfection of surfaces and shared materials - make it too difficult to engage students in science and engineering practices in crowded classrooms.  Outdoor learning, on the other hand, is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control because of better air circulation and more space to keep children appropriately distanced.  Engaging students in the science and engineering practices as they make sense of phenomena in the schoolyard is an approach that increases engagement and deepens understanding. It also centers equity by reducing dependence on previous knowledge for academic success.  But science is not the only subject well-suited to outdoor learning.  Language arts, math, social studies, art, and PE can also be effectively taught outside - especially during the epidemic. 

And outdoor learning does not require expensive or complicated infrastructure. Weather instruments hanging on a prefabricated section of fence; "bucket seats" full of supplies for investigations; part of an asphalt parking lot and packs of colored chalk for drawing systems models; gardens that students design and plant based on their research; bird feeders that enable students to collect data for citizen science projects; event tents with folding tables to use as work surfaces: all of these low-cost, temporary improvements make effective outdoor learning stations. 

Preparing teachers for successful experiences with outdoor learning requires involving them in the planning, providing appropriate professional development, and offering whatever support may be needed.  Many nature centers and other local environmental education (ee) providers are idled or underutilized during the epidemic, due to restrictions on school field trips. This provides an opportunity for school districts to partner with ee providers for help planning and creating outdoor learning spaces, training and mentoring teachers, assisting with the logistics of managing students outdoors, or providing virtual tours and live, remote "ask a scientist" sessions to help students make sense of the phenomena they observe and investigate outdoors.

Teachers and school administrators are encouraged to explore this Toolkit to glean ideas for outdoor learning, and to seek the assistance of an ee provider to assist in implementation.  Check out www.EEinGeorgia.org to find a local ee provider or contact the Environmental Education Alliance for more information (KWood@eealliance.org). 
Planning
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CoOL Toolkit: PLAN Part 1 - Ask & Survey
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CoOL Toolkit: PLAN Part 2 - Make a Map
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CoOL Toolkit: PLAN Part 3 - Identify Assets and Gaps
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CoOL Toolkit: PLAN Part 4 - Consult Experts
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CoOL Toolkit : PLAN Part 5 - Master Plan
SPACES
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CoOL Toolkit: SPACES
METHODS & MODELS
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CoOL Toolkit METHODS & MODELS
CONTENT (Teaching Resources)
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CoOLToolkit: CONTENT
SUSTAINABILITY
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CoOL Toolkit: SUSTAINABILITY
Outdoor Learning AS A STRATEGY FOR SCHOOLS DURING THE covid epidemic
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Executive Summary to EEA's Statement 
eea_exec_summary_on_outdoor_learning_during_epidemic_and__beyond__1_.docx
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EEA's statement on The Value of Outdoor Learning during the epidemic​
eea_statement_on_the_role_of_outdoor_learning_in_safe_reopening_of_schools__1_.docx
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GREEn Schoolyards Report
cnn_gsy_report2016_final.pdf
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Notes FROM EEA to EE PRoviders
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NWF / NAAEE Guideto Advocating for outdoor learning
outdoor_classroom_policy_guide_final_2__1_.pdf
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ARTICLES & REsources ABOUT OUTDOOR LEARNING AND COVID
articles_about_the_value_of_outdoor_learning_during_the_epidemic.docx
File Size: 339 kb
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Outdoor Learning during COVID
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The ​Council of Outdoor Learning (CoOL) is an EEA initiative that focuses on the design, development, use, sustainability, and longevity of outdoor learning environments at schools, nature centers, and elsewhere; and promotes research-informed practices for effective student and environmental outcomes. CoOL provides a Toolkit for creating outdoor learning spaces, hosts an annual Outdoor Learning Symposium to share resources and strategies for teaching outdoors, curates a collection of outdoor learning activities that are integrated with state standards, supports OL providers, and offers customized professional development workshops and webinars for teachers and non-formal educators.

Contact Us
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Environmental Education Alliance, Inc.  
P.O. Box 801066  Acworth, GA 30101


EEA does not does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its program or activities. For more information on EEA's non-discrimination commitment click here . Grievance officer may be contacted at info@eealliance.org

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Photo used under Creative Commons from California Marine Protected Areas-Underwater Parks
  • Our Story
    • About EEA
      • About Env Ed
      • About Env Stewardship
      • About Env Justice
      • About Our Organizational Members
      • About Our History
  • Our Team
    • Advisory Council
    • Board Portal
  • Our Resources
    • Earth Month Activities
    • Garden-based Learning
    • EcoEngineering Challenges
    • Participatory (Citizen) Science
    • Problem-Based Learning
    • Place-Based Learning
    • Project-Based Learning
    • SAGES Project
    • Virtual EE Resources
  • Our Work
    • EE Landscape Analysis
    • Professional Learning
    • ATEEG
      • ATEEG: Why Get Certified?
      • ATEEG History & Accreditation
      • ATEEG Certification Advisory Board
      • ATEEG CAB Portal
        • ATEEG Presentation
        • ATEEG CAB Info Packet
        • ATEEG Responsibilities
        • ATEEG Budget
        • ATEEG Framework
        • ATEEG Reports to NAAEE
        • ATEEG Meeting Notes
    • CoOL
      • CoOL RESEARCH on Outdoor Learning
        • Stanford Key Findings on EE
        • Frontiers Special Edition
      • CoOL AWARDS & GRANTS
      • CoOL ToolKit ToC
      • CoOL Toolkit Survey
      • CoOL Toolkit Map
      • CoOL Toolkit Audits
      • CoOL Toolkit SPACES
      • CoOL Toolkit METHODS
      • CoOL Toolkit SUSTAIN
      • CoOL Toolkit COVID
    • EEinGeorgia.org
    • Monarchs Across GA
      • MAG Awards
      • Mexico Book Project
      • Pollinator Habitats
        • Pollinator Habitat Grants
        • Pollinator Habitat Certification
      • MAG Resources
        • Buy Milkweed
      • Symbolic Migration
      • MAG Volunteers
      • MAG Events
      • Mapping Milkweeds for Monarchs in GA
    • EEA Memorial Forest
    • Awards and Grants
  • Our Events & News
    • EEA News
      • EEA E-News
    • Our Conferences
      • EEA Annual Conference
      • Outdoor Learning Symposium
      • SEEA Conference
      • NAAEE Conference
    • Book Club
    • EEA Issues
      • EE Legislation
      • SCORP
      • Teaching During Covid-19
    • EEA Initiatives
      • Guidelines for Excellence in EE
      • Inclusive EE & Outdoor Learning
      • EE and Higher Ed
  • Our Finances
  • JOIN or GIVE
    • Make a Donation
    • Become a Member
    • Volunteer
  • Member Portal
    • My Account
    • Field Excursions
  • Contact Us