Virtual reality (VR) and electronic field trips (EFT) can introduce youth to natural environments, climate change mitigation strategies, and related STEM careers. We developed a VR and EFT outreach program featuring scientists working on living shorelines for coastal restoration as a response to sea-level rise and examined the program's impacts on…

The aim of the present study was to develop an attitude scale to measure students' attitudes toward out-of-school learning activities (OoSLA). The study was conducted with two separate study groups consisting of a total of 620 students. Expert opinion was sought on the content validity and face validity of the scale. An Exploratory Factor Analysis…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate an existing environmental education program involving a partnership between formal and nonformal educators. The outcomes of this study support the use of an outdoor field trip as an effective teaching strategy in positively changing students' beliefs about the environment. This study also proposes Kolb's…

The aim of research was to reveal the views of preschool teachers on using out-of-school learning environments in preschool education. It was a qualitative research conducted by phenomenological method and eleven preschool teachers from Turkey were included in it. The research data was obtained by interview and the interview form prepared by the…

This study investigated the contribution of a location-based augmented reality (AR) inquiry-learning environment in developing 3rd grade students' historical empathy and conceptual understanding. Historical empathy is an important element of historical thinking, which is considered to improve conceptual understanding and support the development of…

Background: Museums are useful educational resources in science teaching. Teaching strategies which promote hands-on activities, student-centred learning, and rich social interaction must be designed and implemented throughout the museum visit for effective science learning. Purpose: This study aimed to design and implement innovative teaching…

Explains the procedure of constructing a geological timeline pit for elementary and secondary science classes. Presents a follow-up activity and discusses the impact of fossil pits. (YDS)

The role of the social group in learning at science centers is discussed. The author emphasizes that science centers can contribute to formal science education, although the environment is informal and the learning is not sequential. (Author/SA)

Discusses learning environments for informal science learning and points out the importance of an environment on student learning. Suggests several tips for field trip organization and accessing learning materials. (YDS)

A wilderness course conducted by a nonprofit organization is described. Various areas of inquiry offered by the course are described, including investigation of energy resources in the wilderness. (RE)

Describes a local interpretation program in New England that uses a motorcoach to take visitors on a day-long tour of several sites in the region. Explains how to create similar programs elsewhere and gives advice for preparing for the tour, orienting tour members, interpreting on the road, pacing tours over a day, and stopping at tour sites. (PVD)

Describes efforts to assess the effectiveness of high school-aged interpreters through the use of a field experiment and measures of audience response. Concludes that youth naturalists were not always as effective in delivering interpretive programs as are adults; however, data suggest that the efficacy of employing youth as interpreters is strong…