Presenter(s): Jordan Baker − ENVS
Co presenter(s): Richie Nguyen, ingra buys, Annabelle Lind, Richie Nguyen
Faculty Mentor(s): Kathryn Lynch
Oral Session 4CN
Research Area: Social Science
Nature plays an essential role in a child’s growth-stimulating imagination, creativity, problem-solving, a sense of wonder, and connection to the larger world. Current formal education emphasizes standardized testing and the accelerated use of technology, and it has become increasingly easy for children to miss out on the valuable lessons offered by nature. The Restoring Connections project was established to reconnect children with their local natural areas.
As a partnership of the University of Oregon’s Environmental Leadership Program, Adam’s Elementary School and Mt. Pisgah Arboretum, our mission is to develop a place-based, experiential environmental education program for elementary school children that cultivates a lasting connection to the land based in reciprocity and respect. Our project provides students, K-3rd grade, three opportunities a year to visit Mount Pisgah and use it as an outdoor classroom to learn ecology of the Willamette Valley. Each grade focuses on a different local ecosystem and studies the plants and animals that live there, followed by an opportunity to see these species in person and build a sense of place in their community. This curriculum is interdisciplinary, inquiry-based environmental education that progresses from awareness in to action.
This year, our team developed a third-grade spring curriculum, which focuses on prairies and the biodiversity within them, as well as developing field activities in celebration of Earth Day. Our goal is to create a spark in children’s hearts and impart a sense of wonder, inspiring them to continue their connection with nature and be the change in the world!