Spring is rapidly approaching, as indicated by the recent “springing forward” of our clocks. The arrival of Spring not only means longer days but also warmer weather, beautiful blooms, and…restless students. Luckily for teachers, you can exhaust your students’ boundless energy by taking their science lessons outside. NSTA Press’s new book, Inside-Out: Environmental Science in the Classroom and the Field, Grades 3–8, aims to engage teachers in activities that incorporate the scientific disciplines found in environmental observation. The authors’ main goal is to enhance understanding of basic environmental science concepts and to instill confidence in teachers’ abilities to engage students in the process of science learning. Each chapter heavily focuses on content knowledge and then applies this to activities that promote student inquiry. Examples of chapter topics include the study of soil, water, energy and biodiversity. In the introduction, former elementary school principal Debbie Freels recalls how “students yearned for the opportunity to be outdoors during the school day. By providing instruction through project-based teaching and learning, teachers were able to integrate cross-curricular objectives in science-oriented projects.” This time of year is a time of renewal and there is no better way to refresh your science lessons then by utilizing the beautiful outdoors and the activities found in Inside-Out: Environmental Science in the Classroom and the Field, Grades 3–8!
—Amy America