Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Nature in My World is a school-based program reaching over 4,000 underserved K-8th grade rural Nevada students across 6 counties (Pershing, Humboldt, Lander, Elko, Eureka and White Pine) with engaging outdoor learning experiences (OLEs) offered quarterly.
This cross-curricular experiential learning approach consists of age-appropriate nature-based OLEs. These OLEs explore the natural world and our connection to and interactions with the environment.
Through nature-based learning, students increase their “Time Spent Outdoors” (TSO), build their critical thinking and problem solving skills, and develop their own personal outdoor ethic.
Outdoor education and play time helps students become high-performance learners with skill sets that will be with them throughout their lives. And, outdoor education and play time help students perform measurably better on standardized tests. (Coyle, 2010)
How It Works
Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) provides Outdoor Learning Experiences (OLEs) for underserved K–8th grade students in rural Nevada. The majority of these experiences are offered across six counties: Pershing, Humboldt, Lander, Elko, Eureka, and White Pine.
Throughout the school year, teachers in these communities are invited to participate in five Nature in My World OLEs:
October: OLE #1 – Nature Journaling
November: OLE #2 – Sit Spots
February: OLE #3 – The 5 Senses
March: OLE #4 – Zoom In, Zoom Out
April: OLE #5 – Shapes in Nature
Nature in My World OLEs are cross-curricular lessons that use hands-on nature exploration, mindfulness, observation, and nature journaling to connect students with the world around them. Each experience provides opportunities for students to increase their Time Spent Outdoors (TSO) while developing critical thinking, observation, problem-solving, and reflection skills.
Through exploration and discussion, students build a deeper understanding of their relationship with the natural world and begin developing their own personal outdoor ethic. OLEs also introduce students to Leave No Trace principles, NOS’s Action. Impact. Choice. (AIC) process model, and mindfulness tools they can use both indoors and outdoors.
Each OLE follows the 5E instructional model—Engage, Explore, Explain, Expand, and Evaluate, to create an experience that moves students from curiosity and exploration toward understanding and reflection.
Rather than simply teaching students about nature, NOS OLEs are designed to help students experience it. Through these experiences, students build a stronger connection to, understanding of, and respect for the natural world. Throughout the school year, each grade level is offered at least 3 Outdoor Learning Experiences (OLEs) covering scientific and outdoor education themes. These OLEs range from 1-hour lessons on the school grounds up to half day field trips to local parks.
NOS’s Program Coordinators working out of our Winnemucca, Elko offices work with school districts and teachers to schedule OLEs throughout the school year. NOS AmeriCorps Outdoor Educators facilitate and deliver these programs at the schools and/or NOS designated field trip sites (Watershed Heroes).
NOS OLEs utilize place-based, cross-curricular and hands-on learning that is engaging and fun. Students get outside, actively explore and think critically about the natural world around them and their interactions with it. Spending time outdoors and exploring scientific concepts while analyzing actions and evaluating impacts deepens students’ connection to, understanding of and respect for the natural world. It builds and strengthens students’ problem solving and critical thinking skills while motivating and empowering them to be active stewards of their environment.