Tom Arsuffi
Texas Tech University
Director, Llano River Field Station
I direct the Texas Tech Llano River Field Station (LRFS). One component of LRFS is our Outdoor School (OS), recognized as a Texas Exemplar Program for K-12 students, using best learning practices and GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) protocols. Our Outdoor School illustrates, incorporates and addresses multiple exemplar categories, but is especially strong in teacher professional development, and is highly effective with transdisciplinary STEM instruction and improving success of traditionally underrepresented students. Effectiveness is attributable to 1) standards-based STEM curriculum and lesson plans, 2) auditory, visual and kinesthetic instruction and learning, 3) inquiry based learning, 4) teacher training, professional development, observation of OS teachers and instruction, and 5) transdisciplinary, multi-experiential learning, instruction and activity that includes team building, manners and self-confidence across the OS STEM curriculum and a 3 day/2 night stay. GLOBE (http://globe.gov) training and capabilities enhances the effectiveness of our already successful program and provides added dimensions in areas of problem-based learning associated with the scientific method, technology and equipment to acquire, process and interpret environmental data associated with earth, water and weather.
The mission of the Texas Tech University Outdoor School is to inspire students and teachers to develop passion, a sense of ownership and identity towards nature and the watershed in which they live, while building better classroom environments and generating higher state assessment scores. To do this, we have implemented a program designed to provide unique opportunities to use the environment as an integrating context for interdisciplinary, collaborative, student-centered, hands-on and engaged learning, with a focus on the sciences and mathematics. The OS has had remarkable quantitative success and impacts demonstrated by student performance on state-wide standardized tests, national awards and publications. Ask about the research on assessing environmental literacy of K-12 and college students.