Outdoor Classrooms, Labs & Habitats
Studies have shown that integrating the curricula with hands-on learning opportunities creates top-performing students. Outdoor classrooms and living laboratories are the perfect forum to provide teaching and learning opportunities across many academic disciplines. From the simplest outdoor seating structure to multi-faceted schoolyard habitats, gardens, restoration areas, outdoor labs, weather stations and more, there are endless possibilities to create (and keep creating!) outdoor settings that are functional for teachers and engaging for students.
Tip: Be sure to also visit our National & State Green School Programs page to learn more about local and national Green School programs and resources to help you to continue to improve the health and sustainability of your school indoors and out!
Before You Start
- Form an Action Team
- Overview: Project Planning Basics
- Why Naturalize Outdoor Learning Environments?
- Time Out: Using the Outdoors to Enhance Classroom Performance
- Outdoor Classroom Users Guide (Boston Schoolyard Initiative)
- Nature Play & Learning in Early Childhood: Tips & Resources
Design and Preparation
- Conduct a School-Wide Healthy Living Audit
- Conduct a Schoolyard Habitat Audit
- Conduct a School Grounds Site Assessment
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Consider Design Options:
- Schoolyard Design Guide (Boston Schoolyard Initiative)
- Outdoor Classroom Design Guide (Boston Schoolyard Initiative)
- Planning, Constructing & Using School Courtyards*
- Affordable Settings & Elements: Cost Effective Ideas
- Top 10 Activity Settings: Natural Learning Initiative
- Create Outdoor Labs: Wildlife Habitat Projects
- Plants in the Schoolyard
- Install Features for Observation & Discovery
- Pinterest: Search for Creative & Easy Outdoor Classroom Ideas
- Also See: Resources Section (products, project photos, etc.)
- Project Design & Preparation Basics
Implementation
- Create a Healthy Living Action Plan Sample Action Plan
- Create a Healthy Living Action Plan Blank Action Plan
- Create a Schoolyard Habitat Action Plan (K-5) Sample Action Plan
- Create a Schoolyard Habitat Action Plan (K-5) Blank Action Plan
- Create a Schoolyard Habitat Action Plan (6-12) Sample Action Plan
- Create a Schoolyard Habitat Action Plan (6-12) Blank Action Plan
- Project Implementation Basics
- Accessibility
- The Green Desk: Dynamic Question & Answer Resource
Maintenance
Using Your Project
- Overview: Using Your Project
- Acorn Naturalists: Science, STEM & Environmental Education Supplies
- Fostering Outdoor Observation Skills-Citizen Science K-8 (AFWA)
- Eco School Sustainability Pathways Lessons & Resources
- Eco School National Standards & Curriculum Alignment
- Project Learning Tree Curriculum Offerings
- Eco Schools Green STEM Initiative
Sharing Your Project
Resource Center
- Project Resource Library: Learn More!
- Nature Explore
- Nature Explore: Learning with Nature Resources
- Natural Learning Initiative
- Earthplay
- AHS National Children and Youth Garden Symposium
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Schoolyard Habitat Guide
- Eco Schools USA
- National & State Green School Programs
- EPA Learning & Teaching About the Environment (awards, resources, more)