Out-of-class Science : Year 1 students learning about plants

Abstract

International research shows that the natural environment is of great benefit to children’s development in every major way – intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually (Kellert, 2005). This dissertation focused on engaging Year 1 students directly in science by promoting an out of class experience where children investigated plants in their natural habitat. This dissertation also observed outdoor spaces and science resources which are essential to outdoor learning. The relevant data was collected through observations in four State schools and localities and interview with an Early Years educator in one of the schools. The purpose was to observe whether there are enough outdoor spaces with a potentiality for activities related to nature, whether outdoor learning helps in the promotion of biophilia and in storing the acquired information in children’s long-term memory and examine the educator’s perceptions of outdoor teaching. The qualitative data reveals the limited amount of green outdoor spaces, analyses the resources used to support nature education and highlights the advantages of learning about plants in their native environment.