Connecting Urban Families With Environmental Science

Graphical Abstract

The PLUM LANDING Explore Outdoors Toolkit is a new set of free, public media resources designed to help informal educators and parents infuse science learning into outdoor recreation.

Abstract

Few people think of urban areas as ideal places to learn about nature. The tall buildings, dense concrete, and heavy traffic found in these locations cause most people to believe they need to leave the city to experience the natural world. The PLUM LANDING Explore Outdoors Toolkit is a new set of free, public media resources designed to help informal educators and parents infuse science learning into outdoor recreation. Developed by trusted media producer WGBH in partnership with researchers at Education Development Center (EDC), the Toolkit aims to get children (ages 6–9) from low-income, urban communities outside so they can explore the environment around them while debunking the myth that nature is something that only exists beyond city limits. In an activity called Fly It and Spy It, for example, families throw a Frisbee and closely observe what may live in the space where it falls. In City Heat Island, children measure and compare temperatures across artificial and natural surfaces (such as concrete vs. grass) to better understand why the abundance of artificial surfaces in cities often make them warmer than surrounding areas.

Keywords:

• Informal Education

Author Contributions

Marion Goldstein ([email protected]) is research scientist at the Education Development Center in New York, New York.

Elizabeth Pierson ([email protected]) is a research associate at Education Development Center in New York, New York.

Jamie Kynn ([email protected]) is a research associate at Education Development Center in New York, New York.

Lisa Famularo ([email protected]) is cofounder and partner at Research Matters in Kennebunk, Maine.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marion Goldstein

Marion Goldstein ([email protected]) is research scientist at the Education Development Center in New York, New York.

Elizabeth Pierson

Elizabeth Pierson ([email protected]) is a research associate at Education Development Center in New York, New York.

Jamie Kynn

Jamie Kynn ([email protected]) is a research associate at Education Development Center in New York, New York.

Lisa Famularo

Lisa Famularo ([email protected]) is cofounder and partner at Research Matters in Kennebunk, Maine.