This course explores the importance of nature-based education and provides practical strategies to help educators incorporate outdoor learning experiences into their curriculum. By the end of the course, participants will understand how to use nature as a teaching tool, develop outdoor activities, and create environments that foster student engagement and connection to the natural world. This course is appropriate for all K-12 teachers. 

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Explain the benefits of nature-based education and its impact on student cognitive, emotional, and social development.
• Apply nature-based education findings to create effective outdoor learning activities that are connected to the curriculum.
• Design and implement outdoor learning experiences that align with curriculum goals, fostering student engagement and promoting environmental awareness.
• Explore local resources and organizations for potential field trips to utilize natural spaces for educational purposes, incorporating resources, materials, and strategies to create effective learning environments that support diverse learning styles.
• Create a culminating cross-curricular lesson plan to implement in the classroom.