EEA INITIATIVES
Outdoor  Learning  Collaboratory

Outdoor Learning Collaboratory

Outdoor Learning Collaboratory

Community Engagement 

Some of the community engagement sessions that have been held:

• Children and Nature Network Conference in Atlanta, May 2022
• Webinar with CBEEN / The Outdoor Learning Store on Aug 24, 2022
• CoOL Outdoor Learning Symposium June, 2022
• EEA/SEEA Regional Conference, September 29 - October 1, 2022 at Unicoi State Park & Lodge in Helen, GA
• NAAEE Conference, Oct, 2022 in Tucson, AZ​
• NAAEE Conference, Nov 2024, in Pittsburgh, PA
• SEEA Conference, Spring 2025, in Gulf Shores, AL
• Outdoor Learning Symposium, Nov 2025, in Atlanta
• eeCEO Roundtable, July 2026, in Atlanta, GA

The Process

• Analyze input from community engagement sessions
• Identify writing team
• Draft Best Practice guidelines for teaching outdoors
• Create insets, case studies, figures and images
• Submit the draft Guidelines for review by NAAEE affiliates and the wider outdoor learning community
• Revise guidelines as needed
• Publish guidelines that have been adopted by consensus
• Create a related workshop and on demand short course

The Purpose
Educators who were surveyed about obstacles to teaching outdoors indicated that a lack of understanding of 'best practices' was their second-greatest resource need. Share your expertise and ideas at an interactive webinar, in-person workshop, or  survey. We are especially interested in:

• Engaging students in nature
• Designing and managing schoolyard learning spaces
• Teaching with culturally-competent instructional strategies
• Embedding outdoor learning with the state standards
  
• Facilitating student-directed environmental stewardship projects
• Professional development to increase teacher capacity 
• Overcoming obstacles and getting started
  
• Garnering community support, funds and resources
  
• Research, models and methods
• Sustaining and scaling effective outdoor learning​

Key Questions Being Considered

Below are some questions to think about as you prepare to participate in a collaboratory session:

• What are the key benefits of outdoor learning?
• What makes an effective outdoor learning experience?
• How can we design and create spaces that enhance outdoor learning?
• Who should be involved in planning for, delivering, and sustaining outdoor learning?
• What do educators need to increase their capacity for engaging students in outdoor learning?
• What are the barriers, obstacles, perils, and pitfalls of outdoor learning?
• What partnerships, collaborations and resources can enhance or expand outdoor learning?
• Who gets to experience outdoor learning and where are the gaps? Why?
• What are some exemplary case studies, models, resources, and methods?
• How can outdoor learning be sustained, scaled, and afforded so that every child can benefit?

Writing Team 

EEA is grateful to the writing team for their expertise and contributions to the draft "best practice guide' for teaching outdoors.

Authors, Contributors and Advisors (alphabetical):
Brendon Barclay (National Wildlife Federation), Jade Berrill (The Outdoor Learning School and Store), Reagan Biwott (Metro Atlanta RESA), Patty Born (Hamline University), Laura Collard (Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education), Brad Daniel (2nd Nature TREC), Stefan Moss (Saltwater Underground Railroad), Jedda Foreman (Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley), Cathy Jordan (Children and Nature Network,  University of Minnesota) Matt Marsden (Pennsylvania State University), Vince Meldrum (Earth Force), Audrey Peterman (Earthwise Productions, Diverse Environmental Leaders), Bronwen Rice (NOAA), Karan Wood (Environmental Education Alliance), Tim Zimmerman (NOAA)

Researchers who Reviewed the Draft Guidelines and Contributed Comments (alphabetical):
Louise Chawla, Kristi Lekies, Nancy Wells