From Classroom to Field: Rural Teachers' Integration of Science and the Outdoors.
Saved in:
| Title: | From Classroom to Field: Rural Teachers' Integration of Science and the Outdoors. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Dean, Steph N.1 sndean@clemson.edu, Wenner, Julianne A.1 jwenner@clemson.edu |
| Source: | Rural Educator. Winter2026, Vol. 47 Issue 1, p54-73. 22p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Outdoor education, *Science education, *Community organization, *Student engagement, *Place-based education, *Rural education, *Next Generation Science Standards (Education), *Educational equalization |
| Geographic Terms: | United States |
| Abstract: | This study explored how rural educators in the US use outdoor environments to enhance science instruction, addressing the educational marginalization of rural students. Using rural cultural wealth as a theoretical framework, we investigated how rural teachers integrate local nature-based resources and students' out-of-school experiences into science learning. We conducted interviews and observations with rural teachers, using reflexive thematic analysis as our qualitative approach. Three key themes emerged that highlight the ways our participants use the outdoor environment to teach science: (a) harness rural community partnerships, (b) engage students through relational teaching, and (c) design learning opportunities that honor students as both people and scientists. These findings illustrate how outdoor science instruction fosters student engagement; provides authentic scientific inquiry aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards; and promotes deep connections between students, their communities, and the natural world. We conclude by calling for a broader adoption of asset-based approaches to rural education and urging science educators to incorporate outdoor settings into their pedagogy as a way to enhance educational equity in rural communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Rural Educator is the property of National Rural Education Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
Be the first to leave a comment!
