Camping science sounds like fun to me! How in the world can we teach camping science in the classroom or virtually? Teachers are creative and this activity in STEAM certainly proves so. I began researching multiple ways that science and STEM/STEAM can be taught when camping, and thought, “I want to bring this to the classroom!” Currently, we are virtually learning so that puts a slight snag in the plan, but did it stop us, NO!!!
Camping Science Activities
The key to bringing camping into the classroom is creating the atmosphere through a themed day. Camping science and STEAM need background information. Believe it or not, we all not campers. Many of our students have never camped and rarely get out into nature. Build up some hype by telling them about a theme day coming soon. Then, allow them to read everything they can about camping. Learn some new vocabulary. Find something they are interested in, and of course, write about it! Hype is building now! One of my favorite go to science resources: Science Buddies, offers a great camping science resource page. So what’s next?
Camping Science Experiments
Plan your camp day… let the students plan the camp day! That is always best. Project-based learning creates some kind of ownership when you have an event at school or virtually. Recently an Instagram friend of mine decided to plan this virtually with her students. She let them take control. They all showed up virtually with indoor tents built at home from sheets and pillows. I know they had an amazing day. However, if we were showing up at school… what would I do? Over the top is what I would do!!! Set up a fake campfire, move all the desks, set up tents or bring sheets for fort building, be prepared for telling stories, making s’mores, science investigations, and more! Kids will be hyped!!!!!!
Camping Science Projects
The best part of the day would be getting outside and investigating nature! Try out some camping science activities and collect data. There are so many camping science activities available! Bug collecting, cardinal directions, finding organisms….. This is a themed day you need to have in your classroom! Start the year off that way and let it be a theme for the year! STEAM and project-based learning work hand in hand. Need a resource for Camping STEAM? Check out my Camping STEAM Unit! What type of scientists could you possibly study during a camping study…. Neil DeGrasse Tyson who looked up at the stars and never stopped!!!
Plan an epic year for your students with The Ultimate STEM/STEAM Project-Based Learning Classroom Guide! This resource is totally free and full of helpful information!
