The Halton District School Board has started a new experiential learning initiative called, Nature’s Neighbourhood Eco Action Rangers (NEAR), to help elementary and secondary students deepen their understanding of the local environment.
Nature’s NEAR aims to assist students in developing meaningful connections with their local environment and promote responsible stewardship in their everyday lives. Grade 10-12 students can apply and interview for a position in the group as a co-op placement. Working with a co-op supervisor, students develop presentations and resources in school and then lead teaching lessons (currently virtually) to participating Grade 3-6 students.
“There is often a big misconception that you need to travel far to experience nature, but we are here to show that there is plenty to discover and explore in one’s own neighbourhood, backyard and schoolyard,” says Rachel Irwin, Outdoor Education Facilitator with the Halton District School Board.
She noted there are several curriculum connections with Nature’s NEAR including Science, Social Studies, Art, Physical Education and Environmental Education.
“I think Nature’s NEAR has been a great experiential learning opportunity for elementary schools as their options for field trips and guest speakers have been impacted,” Irwin says. “Being able to interact and learn from high school students has been really positive for elementary students and they seem to engage and connect with the program even with the virtual format. ”
The program was initially launched in January 2020 but due to the pandemic and subsequent provincial shutdown of schools in March, Halton staff re-imagined the program to offer it virtually in the 2020-2021 school year. The first Nature’s NEAR project was called the Project Leaf, which involved elementary students making art using leaves while reflecting on plant biodiversity.
Overall, Nature’s NEAR aims to:
- Support teachers by providing distance outdoor learning programs, lessons and activities they can easily complete with their students
- Promote physical and mental well-being, especially in a time when students are spending more time on technology
- Create opportunities for secondary students to be environmental leaders and role models to elementary students and the greater community while also exploring future pathways in the environmental field.
Secondary students say Nature’s NEAR has provided important learning experiences including collaboration and inspiring young learners.
“The best thing about Nature’s NEAR is that you don't have to go far to enjoy nature, you just have to look around and appreciate it,” says Taronish Chothia, in Grade 12 in Virtual Secondary School. “You also have a team you can work with and you can use each other's skills and strengths to make the most interactive and educational outdoor program for elementary students while having fun doing it.”
Teachers are very supportive of the program and how it engages students even in a virtual format.
"We loved the collaborative nature of this program,” says Rozlyn Burns, a Grade 3 teacher at Ethel Gardiner Public School. “It tied beautifully to our soils unit and helped us deepen our understanding of Indigenous ties to nature."
Irwin has a positive outlook for Nature’s NEAR.
“My goal as an outdoor educator is to spark curiosity and natural wonder,” Irwin says. “I hope we can foster a sense of love for our planet in our students so they grow up wanting to protect it.”