{"id":11800,"date":"2018-10-24T07:22:40","date_gmt":"2018-10-24T11:22:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=11800"},"modified":"2019-09-12T08:46:15","modified_gmt":"2019-09-12T12:46:15","slug":"learning-stems-from-nature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/learning-stems-from-nature\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning STEMS from Nature"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Children have wonderful imaginations and an innate desire to explore the world around them through direct experience, and the natural world provides endless opportunities for exploration and discovery, questioning and investigation.<\/p>\n<p>Spending time outdoors is often thought of as recreation but so much learning in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math) can happen at the same time.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11825\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/Copy-of-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/Copy-of-2.jpg 750w, https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/Copy-of-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/Copy-of-2-624x416.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Through play and exploration, children in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/learn\/schools-groups\">early childhood programs<\/a> practice and build confidence in core science attitudes and skills, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>curiosity<\/em><\/strong> by asking lots of questions because the natural world provides endless opportunities for wonder<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>creativity and inventiveness<\/em><\/strong> through the construction of animal homes with twigs and pine needles or imaging the life cycle of the dragonfly larvae to adult though the dramatic play at the pond\u2019s edge.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>persistence<\/em><\/strong> as they collect maple seeds on a walk for experiments in aerodynamics back in the classroom<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>critical thinking<\/em><\/strong> through the open-endedness of learning in and with natural materials by observation, asking questions, investigations, re-thinking things and asking more questions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By listening to the different bird songs in spring, noting the arrival of a dragonfly larvae in the pond, chasing butterflies in a field, timing the length of time it takes a maple leaf to drop to the forest floor, or carefully noting the shape of winter\u2019s first snowflake, children gain these documented benefits while participating as a part of the cycles and systems of nature, all the while deepening their connection, appreciation, and sense of stewardship for the environment.<\/p>\n<p>At Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries, STEM learning is a part of everything we do. Every one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/learn\/schools-groups\/programs-for-schools\">school programs<\/a> is designed to integrate with the Massachusetts State Science and Technology\/Engineering Curriculum Framework, but our commitment goes even deeper.<\/p>\n<p>Hundreds of classroom educators attend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/learn\/schools-groups\/resources-for-teachers\">professional development programs<\/a> run by Mass Audubon each year to increase their comfort with integrating nature play and learning into traditional preschool and elementary education curriculum. And through our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/learn\/schools-groups\/nature-preschools\">nature preschools<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/get-outdoors\/summer-camps\">camps<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/learn\/schools-groups\/programs-for-schools\">school programs<\/a>, we reach tens of thousands of children annually.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond the traditional educational setting, STEM thinking is reflected in how we invite people to approach the environment and how we manage our sanctuaries. Scientific practices and monitoring guide the stewardship of our properties, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/our-conservation-work\/wildlife-research-conservation\/sanctuary-based-inventory-monitoring\">scientific data collection<\/a> taking place year-round related to breeding bird activity, wildlife populations, the spread (and control) of invasive species, and many more research opportunities. We embrace evidence-based thinking in all we do, and we invite you to join us in exploring how learning STEMs from nature.<\/p>\n<p>Get outside where every day can become a STEM day! Visit a Mass Audubon sanctuary near you to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/get-outdoors\/wildlife-sanctuaries\/places-to-explore\">explore on your own<\/a> or through one of our thousands of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.massaudubon.org\/get-outdoors\/program-catalog#search\">hands-on educational programs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><em>&#8211; Kris Scopinich (Mass Audubon Director of Education)<br \/>\nand Renata Pomponi (Sanctuary Director, Drumlin Farm)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Children have wonderful imaginations and an innate desire to explore the world around them through direct experience, and the natural world provides endless opportunities for exploration and discovery, questioning and investigation. Spending time outdoors is often thought of as recreation but so much learning in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math) can happen [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11825,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[8,181,171],"tags":[288,169,89,287],"class_list":["post-11800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-get-outdoors","category-science","category-young-explorers","tag-education","tag-preschool","tag-school","tag-stem"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2018\/10\/Copy-of-2.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-34k","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14688,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/come-play-outside-with-us\/","url_meta":{"origin":11800,"position":0},"title":"Come Play Outside With Us!","author":"Hillary T.","date":"September 26, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"You\u2019ve probably heard the stories if not told them. They always start with \u2026 \u201cWhen I was a kid\u2026\u201d and have some variation of \u2026 \u201cI\u2019d play outside all day until the dinner bell rang.\u201d Of course, back then (whenever then was), things were different. The internet was just a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Get Outdoors&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Get Outdoors","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-outdoors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/09\/0051_MA_CampPreschoolSummer2019_051-750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/09\/0051_MA_CampPreschoolSummer2019_051-750.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/09\/0051_MA_CampPreschoolSummer2019_051-750.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/09\/0051_MA_CampPreschoolSummer2019_051-750.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15753,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/celebrate-juneteenth-what-to-read-watch-listen-to-and-follow\/","url_meta":{"origin":11800,"position":1},"title":"Celebrate Juneteenth: What to Read, Watch, Listen to, and Follow","author":"Ryan D.","date":"June 17, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Juneteenth, a portmanteau of \"June\" and \"nineteenth\", commemorates the end of slavery in the United States each year on June 19. Because the enslaved ancestors of many Black Americans were not free on July 4, 1776, many consider Juneteenth their true Independence Day and a day to celebrate Black history,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;General&quot;","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/general\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A Black man looking through a pair of binoculars at a wildlife sanctuary","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/Nature-Hero-Video-Still-1-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/Nature-Hero-Video-Still-1-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/Nature-Hero-Video-Still-1-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/Nature-Hero-Video-Still-1-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12284,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/what-is-nature-camp-and-why-should-you-try-it\/","url_meta":{"origin":11800,"position":2},"title":"What is Nature Camp? And Why Should You Try It?","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"January 31, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"It is summer camp registration season, and that means it\u2019s decision time! Summer is an ideal time for children to be outside, but choosing between camp opportunities can be overwhelming. How do you pick between dozens of options? And why should you consider nature camp? Photo: Phil Doyle Why Nature\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Get Outdoors&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Get Outdoors","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-outdoors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/Arcadia-Camp-Photos-2019_CREDIT-PHIL-DOYLE-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/Arcadia-Camp-Photos-2019_CREDIT-PHIL-DOYLE-2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/Arcadia-Camp-Photos-2019_CREDIT-PHIL-DOYLE-2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/01\/Arcadia-Camp-Photos-2019_CREDIT-PHIL-DOYLE-2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9059,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/schools-not-out-for-summer\/","url_meta":{"origin":11800,"position":3},"title":"School&#8217;s [Not] Out for Summer","author":"Ryan D.","date":"May 8, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Kids will soon be out of school for the summer, but the adults are just beginning! Every summer, several of Mass Audubon's coastal wildlife sanctuaries host classes that offer a wide variety of in-depth learning opportunities for adults that focus on the unique coastal environment and wildlife of the Cape.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Get Outdoors&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Get Outdoors","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-outdoors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Red Knots \u00a9 Photographer Shawn Carey","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/05\/REKN_ShawnCarey.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/05\/REKN_ShawnCarey.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2017\/05\/REKN_ShawnCarey.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15807,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/black-birders-week-is-back\/","url_meta":{"origin":11800,"position":4},"title":"Black Birders Week is Back!","author":"Ryan D.","date":"May 29, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"After the global success of its inaugural year, #BlackBirdersWeek returns Sunday, May 30 through Saturday, June 5, 2021! Organized by Black AF in STEM, a collective of unapologetically Black scientists studying topics in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, this year\u2019s event will showcase the many unique ways Black people connect\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Birds &amp; Birding&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Birds &amp; Birding","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/birds-birding\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/IMG_9460-750x500-886f351d-c81c-489e-885b-c71c3e22f801.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/IMG_9460-750x500-886f351d-c81c-489e-885b-c71c3e22f801.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/IMG_9460-750x500-886f351d-c81c-489e-885b-c71c3e22f801.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/05\/IMG_9460-750x500-886f351d-c81c-489e-885b-c71c3e22f801.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4077,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/summer-camp-2014-highlights\/","url_meta":{"origin":11800,"position":5},"title":"Summer Camp 2014 Highlights","author":"","date":"September 17, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Before we say an official\u00a0goodbye to summer 2014, here\u2019s a look back at some highlights from our camps across the state\u2014and beyond! New Programs Many camps offered new programs that brought campers closer to nature in exciting ways. Stony Brook Nature Day Camp in Norfolk offered its first Adventure Camp\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;EcoKids&quot;","block_context":{"text":"EcoKids","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/ecokids\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/09\/MABA-dana_instruction_group_ceramics.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/09\/MABA-dana_instruction_group_ceramics.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/09\/MABA-dana_instruction_group_ceramics.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2014\/09\/MABA-dana_instruction_group_ceramics.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11800","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11800"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11800\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13099,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11800\/revisions\/13099"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11825"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}