Internet Resources
There are a tremendous number of resources available to teachers, students and parents over the Internet. Many sites provide information about how to build, maintain and use an outdoor classroom. Still more sites are available that provide ready-to-use cross-curricular projects integrating classroom learning and technological literacy with the hands-on educational opportunities afforded by the outdoor classroom. This list represents just a fraction of the excellent resources available online, but the sites listed here should give you a good starting point and introduce you to the extraordinary instructional potential of projects linking technology and the outdoor classroom.
Sites with information about designing an outdoor classroom
The Arbor Day Foundation Information on trees, including how to plant
Discovery Gardens Information about designing children's landscapes, including outdoor classrooms
The Evergreen Foundation Non-profit organization working to improve school grounds in Canada - lots of information, including pictures and descriptions of outdoor classrooms
The Georgia Forestry Commission - Outdoor Classroom Training Program
The Georgia Wildlife Federation
Greening Schoolgrounds Excellent resource for creating educational landscapes (from British Columbia)
The National Wildlife Federation
Seeds of Change Garden Information on creating gardens that demonstrate how the world has changed since the arrival of Columbus in North America
Major Sites for Outdoor Classroom Curriculum and Projects
EE-Link Extremely comprehensive site relating to all aspects of environmental education; links to virtually every environmental education curriculum resource
EnviroNet Sponsors many interactive programs that utilize telecommunications to enhance environmental science education
Journey North Sponsors excellent hands-on multidisciplinary projects that combine classroom learning, telecommunications and the outdoor classroom
Specialized Sites of Interest
About Rainbows High School level and up
The Amazing Story of Kudzu Every school in Georgia should visit this site!
American Forests Information on trees and global reforestation efforts
Ask Orkin Expert information on varmints, critters and creepy-crawlers
Bat Conservation International Excellent resource on bats
Cornell Lab of Ornithology Lots of information plus opportunities to participate in classroom projects to supply Cornell scientists with data
The Ethnobotany Cafe Excellent site relating to plants, their uses, and how they relate to cultures around the world
Frogland Great site created by a teenage girl (good role model of female as scientist/computer expert)
Geologist's Lifetime Field List Describes and links to sites every geologist should visit.
GREEN (Global Rivers Environmental Education Network) Global network that promotes watershed sustainability
Horticulture for All An excellent horticultural therapy resource, with information on the benefits of horticulture for the disabled
Insectcyclopedia Lots of information, but very advanced - high school
Internet Directory for Botany Links to anything you could possibly ask about botany
Kids and Classrooms The National Gardening Association's forum for teachers, teacher educators and community parts interested in using plants and gardens to enrich learning; grant applications online as well as discussion groups, articles, and more
Kites and Kite Flying Very comprehensive
Learning Web at the U.S. Geological Survey earth sciences
National Geographic Everything you'd expect from National Geographic
North American Association for Environmental Education
Pete's Pond Page One of many pond sites on the Web; provides an excellent overview of designing, building and maintaining a pond
Refuge Net Activist site with lots of information about endangered wildlife habitats -- excellent interdisciplinary possibilities for middle and high school classes
Rot Web Excellent resource for composting information
Science and the Environment - A Learning Tool Electronic news summary magazine with articles on wide range of topics in environmental science
Service Learning Excellent resource for information on service learning programs, which are frequently associated with outdoor classroom programs
The Weather Channel Wonderful web site with lots of information
The Weather Unit Multidisciplinary weather curriculum
Georgia Outdoor Classroom Council Resource Guide, October
1997 Edition
Send comments to: lcrowder@mindspring.com