The Lawrence Hall of Science

The public science center of the University of California, Berkeley.

Policy Briefs

Sunstones at The Lawrence

Impacts from COVID-19: Resilient Outdoor Science Programs Need Support as Challenges Persist

More than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic struck the United States and forced widespread lockdowns, closures, and social distancing, the field of outdoor science education continues to be fragile, with many organizations teetering on the brink of collapse. Despite easing restrictions and with new concerns about coronavirus variants, the challenges facing the field persist. 

Children playing on the DNA sculpture at the Lawrence

A Field at Risk: The Impact of COVID-19 on Environmental and Outdoor Science Education

During April 2020, the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley, conducted a survey to learn about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the environmental and outdoor science educations field nationwide. This policy brief describes the importance of this field, the findings of our survey, and recommendations for mitigating the potentially devastating threats facing this field.