YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
Connecting with Nature in a Virtual World In Spring 2020, more than 850 million children and youth, roughly half of the world’s student population, had to stay away from schools and universities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Teachers, parents and students were challenged to find new resources to keep kids engaged in their new virtual learning environment. Virtual Exploration Nature Lab’s virtual field trips allow
In an effort to support families and teachers, and open up new worlds for young people, The Nature Conservancy and its 550 scientists launched Nature Lab, an online learning platform designed to help students from kindergarten through 12th grade learn the science behind how nature works for us and how we can help keep it running strong. “Students and teachers across Missouri and around the world were faced with a very different learning experience in response to COVID-19,” said Kate Ireland, director of Youth Engagement Programs, at The Nature Conservancy. “I’m proud that TNC was able to offer the Nature Lab curriculum as a way to engage the next generation with the places, science and conservation stories of our work, helping them connect what they see on the screen to actions they can take in their own neighborhood.” Demand for Nature Lab has been very high, with viewership on the Nature Lab Vimeo page reaching over 17,000 daily. Most viewership dips correspond with weekends, indicating that Nature Lab is successfully being used as a supplemental tool for virtual learning.
students to travel the world and explore natural environments without leaving their home or classroom. Each virtual field trip contains a video, teacher guide and student activities. Here are a few of the places and topics to explore:
The Coral Reefs of Palau
Explore Nature Lab from your home or classroom Navigating Nature Lab is simple. Just click on the students’ age group, and you’ll find a collection of appropriate videos and support materials designed in partnership with educators and TNC scientists. Each topic includes a downloadable teachers’ guide with information about how the materials can be integrated into the classroom, either virtually or in-person.
Powering the Planet
START exploring today at nature.org/NatureLab
China’s Great Forest
THIS PAGE Students observing leaves © Devan King/TNC (L); SIDE BAR, TOP TO BOTTOM Aerial view of Palau © Jez O’Hare; Wind farm turbines in West Virginia © Kent Mason; Giant panda © Nick Hall
NATURE.ORG/MISSOURI 13
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