BEETLES (Better Environmental Education, Teaching, Learning & Expertise Sharing) is a program of The Lawrence Hall of Science that provides resources for student-centered and nature-centered outdoor science programs.
Resources for Outdoor Science Programs
Student-Centered & Nature-Centered
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Meet the Beetles
For a slightly longer introduction to BEETLES, watch the 7-minute Meet the Beetles video.
News & Updates
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Tale from the Field: A Regional Network in Maine
From Drew Dumsch, Executive Director at The Ecology School, Saco, Maine. The five programs in Maine that do outdoor science school year programs (The Ecology School, Chewonki Outdoor Classroom, University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond, and the University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Tanglewood, and the Schoodic Institute…
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Tale from the Field: Setting a Tone: How We Develop a Learning Culture Among Staff
From Ray Cramer, Senior Faculty for Teaching Practicum at Islandwood, Bainbridge Island, Washington. As a graduate program, Islandwood has been focused on developing a culture of learning within their instructional staff for many years. Here’s a brief synopsis of how they do it. Challenge people’s ideas of what science looks like and how we talk…
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Regional Networks Tale from the Field: Minnesota Collaborative
Minnesota is home to five accredited residential environmental learning centers (RELCs) that host overnight field trips for students from Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and more. Our centers are independent entities that have no financial ties to one another. But despite this, we’ve long had a collaborative approach to projects, grants, fundraising, and reaching broader audiences. Therefore,…
BEETLES: Infusing outdoor science programs with research-based approaches and tools to improve science teaching and learning.
Our professional learning resources are designed for program leaders to use with field instructors. They provide experiences and rationale about outdoor science instruction designed to inspire instructors to improve their teaching.
All BEETLES resources embody our five research-based design principles.
PEOPLE LEARN OUTDOOR SCIENCE BEST WHEN THEY:
Engage Directly with Nature
Experience Instruction Based on How People Learn
Think Like a Scientist
Participate in Culturally Relevant Learning Environments
Learn Through Discussions
All BEETLES resources embody our five research-based design principles.
PEOPLE LEARN OUTDOOR SCIENCE BEST WHEN THEY:
Engage Directly with Nature
Experience Instruction Based on How People Learn
Think Like a Scientist
Participate in Culturally Relevant Learning Environments
Learn Through Discussions
“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.”
ELLEN PARR
