ERIC Number: EJ1236075
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 9
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Using Screen Time to Promote Green Time: Outdoor STEM Education in OST Settings
Paulsen, Christine Andrews; Andrews, Jessica Rueter
Afterschool Matters, n30 p24-32 Fall 2019
Too many of today's children spend too much time indoors, often interacting with screens. They don't get enough physical exercise. Their learning about nature comes from books and teachers rather than from firsthand exploration of natural phenomena. These issues affect most modern American children, but they are particularly prominent among low-income children in high-need neighborhoods. Walks (and other activities) in the park, if properly designed, could go a long way toward improving children's health and developing their cognitive skills. Many out-of-school time (OST) programs already serve low-income children; many incorporate physical activity, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), or both. Dealing with these and other priorities while keeping children safe, aligning with school learning goals, and sometimes being held responsible for academic outcomes such as grades and test scores can overwhelm the most dedicated afterschool professionals. As surprising as it may seem, technology can provide part of the answer. This article describes "PLUM LANDING," an all-digital PBS program that helps OST programs and families get outdoors to explore nature. Findings from the program evaluation suggest lessons for OST programs that want to incorporate outdoor STEM learning, no matter what curriculum or resources they use.
Descriptors: Outdoor Education, STEM Education, After School Programs, Public Television, Educational Television, Program Evaluation, Instructional Materials, Learning Activities, Games, Physical Activities, Discovery Learning, Learning Motivation, Experiential Learning
National Institute on Out-of-School Time. Wellesley Centers for Women, 106 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02481. Tel: 781-283-2547; Fax: 781-283-3657; e-mail: niost@wellesley.edu; Web site: http://www.niost.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A