Making Nature Photography Part of Your Technology Experience (no matter what you teach)

Making Nature Photography Part of Your Technology Experience(no matter what you teach)

Connecting Kids to Nature

Using photography to teach about the environment through the lens of a camera

Science, Lang. Arts, Social Studies, Math, Art,Technology, Reading, MusicWhy is this important?How is it relevant? I like to play inside better cause thats where all the electrical outlets are. A fourth grader San Diego

The childhood link between outdoor activity and physical health is clear. According to the Center for Disease Control, the U.S. population of overweight children increased by almost 36% from 1989 1999. Two out of ten American children are clinically obese four times the percentage reported in the late 1960s. (p.47)

In the U.S. children between the ages of 6 and 11 spend about 30 hours a week looking at TV or computer monitors. (p.47)

All quotes are from Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

Children need nature for the healthy development of their senses, and, therefore, for learning and creativity. (p. 54)

Studies suggest that nature may be useful as a therapy for ADHD, used with or, when appropriate, even replacing medications or behavioral therapies. (p. 99)

Academic Achievement Nationwide studies showed that schools and communities using outdoor classrooms and other forms of nature-based experiential education were associated with significant student gains in social studies, science, language arts, and math.

Students involved in outdoor science programs improved their science testing scores by 27%. (American Institute for Research, 2005)

Additional studies find that using hands-on approaches supports critical brain development in kids. (Reuters, 2008)How does it tie into NCLB?

Minnesota Dept. of Education - 2007Science is the active study of nature, its structures and its processes. Science students use their senses and tools to observe, record, and analyze data about the natural world. Scientifically literate young people can understand phenomena, solve problems, and produce new technologies for todays world.

Conclusion:If we are going to raise science test scores, we not only have to interest kids in science; we have to involve them.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHYBRIDGE TO NATURE Project Manager, Carrol L. Henderson

National trends in outdoor recreation, 2001-2006Freshwater Fishing:- 14 %Hunting:- 10 %Wildlife Watching:+ 8 % Nature Photography:+ 35 %

Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2008

Desired Outcomes: Increase participation in nature-based recreation, particularly among young adults and children; Help Minnesotas children become the natural resource stewards of tomorrow through positive experiences in the outdoors.

GOAL: Use the technical and popular appeal of digital photography to introduce teachers and children to Minnesotas outdoors - so that images taken by kids will enhance learning experiences and create lifelong appreciation and enthusiasm for Minnesotas outdoors.

STRATEGY:

80 Teacher workshops in two years

1000 Teachers trained to lead outdoor safaris for students in grades 3 9 (potentially reaching 30,000 students across Minnesota)

Project Partners DNR Nongame Wildlife Program White Earth Indian Band Watchable Wildlife Inc. National Camera Exchange MN Nature Photography Club MN Cooperative Extension Service MN Pollution Control Agency DNR Division of Parks and Trails DNR Division of Enforcement Minnesota Master Naturalist Program The Raptor Center, U of MN Minnesota 4-H Anoka County 4-HClassroom lessons and photo safaris should result in a product that is visual and measurable Pre-test / Post-test

Bulletin Board display

Hallway photo collection

Power Point , Podcast, Video, or Web 2.0 tools

Additions to school web site

Blurb books

Outcomes and Evaluations

If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in. RachelCarson Help kids get unplugged from televisions and video games while getting them plugged into nature through digital photography.

Consider sending your staff to a Digital Bridge workshop next year or better yet host a workshop at your site.

Digital BridgeBlending

the

inside

with

the

outside