Nature-Based Learning at Ann Murray Douglass Academy No. 12
Rochester Ecology Partners is collaborating with Anna Murray Douglass Academy No. 12 and Center for Youth Earthworks to offer Nature-based learning services to the school community. The goal of this collaboration is improved wellness, academic achievement and community relationships for students, staff, and families.
Teachers: Sign Up for NBL
Questions can be sent to Lindsay Clark lclark@rocecology.org
Teachers: Post NBL Experience Survey
What is nature-based learning?
Nature-based learning occurs when education is connected to the natural world. Students can participate in outdoor experiences that complement and enhance the curriculum, or bring outdoor artifacts and ideas into their classrooms to create more robust educational opportunities. For the 2023-24 school year we are working together to offer experiences that get the school community more connected to nature.
More about Nature Based Learning with Schools
Why is nature-based learning important?
- Healthy communication and improved reasoning skills
- Improved emotional, mental, and physical health
- Improved academic performance
- Greater school, students, families, and community connections
What activities can we support?
| Social emotional learning experiences | Mindfulness activities and nature immersion that build students’ capacity for self regulation, enhance collaboration skills, and support their general well-being |
| Nearby Nature Field Studies | Core curriculum aligned field studies on or near the school grounds that are designed to provide students with direct experience with natural phenomenon, build habits of mind, and develop future ready skills |
| Off site Field Experience | Core curriculum-aligned field experiences within Greater Rochester that are designed to provide deep, nature immersion experiences for students that build self-confidence, connect to academic knowledge and classroom skills, and develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. |
| Coaching and Program Design | Support with creating nature based learning experiences for teachers to lead in and out of the classroom with or without connections to other field experiences led by Rochester Ecology Partners |
| Faculty Professional Learning | Opportunities for teachers to learn and grow as educators by engaging them in activities that build relationships to the natural world and each other while building everyone’s capacity to engage students in nature-based learning |
What support do we offer?
- We can lead activities. Our staff will lead activities using lessons that we have developed to meet learning targets that have been established by the teacher
- We can collaboratively design lessons. Someone from our team can meet with teachers to develop lesson plans that meet curricular goals
- We can support activities. Rochester Ecology Partners can provide staff to assist with teacher led nature based learning activities.