What I have learned so far

I have been reading a lot about science education in a broad capacity. Many of the articles discuss the importance of setting for children to learn. In particular, how just being in an out-of-classroom location may help students stay engaged as well as how more specific experiences can broaden how students make connections. I've also learned about how active learning often promotes working in groups. One article was about how nature walks allow for a family to work through an idea together and occasionlly helps different family units come together in a discussion or activity. Other articles looked at how scientists and public educators can come together in collaboration. These discussed at how scientists can ensure the public is getting up to date material as well as how museum professionals can help reframe that information out of scientific jargon for a broader audience.

Students on a nature walk. From savorsnoqualmievalley.org

The next type of article I will be searching for and reading through is how living history museums and other historic sites have introduced science education and in particular the challenges they face. I will also be looking for articles related to effective signage for nature trails. Throughout our coursework, we have discussed how didactic signs have been used and are used within museum walls and I am curious to see if there is a significant difference of opinion for nature trails.