What is Backyard Science?

Canoeing on Little Grassy Lake in beautiful Southern Illinois

Backyard Science...What does that even mean?  For me, it means just about anything you do to involve students in science outside the four walls of the classroom.  (Or, in my case three walls -  my room is triangular!) At any given time on any given school day, there are any number of students looking out the window, wishing they were "out there" instead of "in here."  So, I say don't fight it.  Use it!  We should let them go "out there" from time to time! Educators can take advantage of and capitalize on that natural curiosity, that yearning to get out the door and commune with nature!  

For years, it has been my goal to involve my students in their own learning, to get them to actually buy into this thing called education.  Science has been my vehicle for that.  So many of my kids come to my class saying that they hate science.  It is my goal to change that!  I love  a challenge! So, I have  searched for and dreamed up hands-on projects or outdoor projects for my students to be involved in. In this blog I plan to share my projects and other practical ideas for doing backyard science with elementary age kids. 

Keep in mind my loose definition of backyard science!  If you can do it outside or if you can "bring the outdoors inside," it is fair game for this blog!  I'll share ideas for things that you can do on your school's playground, in your neighborhood, at your community park, or in and around your area's lakes and rivers. There will be projects that can be done in an hour, a week, a few weeks, or even year-long endeavors.  I hope you will give one, or some, or even all of them a try!  

Thanks for reading!

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