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I’m a Black Educator With an Explorer Mindset. But It Wasn’t Always That Way.

Dr. William Anderson wrote this post. I live in Colorado, which is consistently ranked one of the most active states in the U.S. In 2020 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said more than 82 percent of Colorado residents reported exercising during their leisure time in the preceding month. Colorado has at least 39,000 miles of trails, thousands of miles of rivers, and dozens … Continue reading I’m a Black Educator With an Explorer Mindset. But It Wasn’t Always That Way.

Strategy Share: Starting and Growing a Movement

Our Strategy Share series features innovative ideas, projects, and approaches from our community of educators. This post was written by 2019 Education Fellow Rue Mapp. I am an incidental movement maker. When I started Outdoor Afro as a blog from my kitchen table in 2009, it wasn’t about creating a movement or what became a national network that celebrates and inspires African American connections with … Continue reading Strategy Share: Starting and Growing a Movement

Strategy Share: Inspiring Students to Become Nature Detectives

“Scientists don’t always know the answer, do they, Ms. Lebby?” a student asked from the back of the room during our investigation. No, they certainly do not. Searching for answers is where an explorer’s story begins, and that is what I hoped students would understand from our “Nature Detectives” investigation. Continue reading Strategy Share: Inspiring Students to Become Nature Detectives

Educator Spotlight: Developing the Patience to See

Lyanne Abreu connected her urban students with the natural world around them through a challenge offered by the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden. Students learned about native and migratory bird species in South Florida and collected data, making observations at specific sites and documenting their findings in journals. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Developing the Patience to See

7 Outdoor Classroom Day Tips from National Geographic Certified Educators

Outdoor Classroom Day is May 17, and we put the call out to National Geographic Certified Educators to give us their favorite outdoor activities and teaching resources. In addition to this awesome library of outdoor lessons, materials, and partner activities, here are seven ways our certified educators get their classes outside. Jacqueline Dukes |  All Ages One of my favorite outdoor activities is Sports Day … Continue reading 7 Outdoor Classroom Day Tips from National Geographic Certified Educators