The Lawrence Hall of Science

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

Environmental & Outdoor Science Education

Sunstones at The Lawrence

Peaks and Valleys: A landscape study of environmental literacy implementation in and out of California’s TK-12 classrooms
A student is outdoors examining nature through a magnifying glass

Improving Outdoor Science Teaching and Learning: The Implementation of a Capacity-Building Model in Outdoor Science Programs

This paper examines the role and value of professional learning and organizational capacity building in outdoor science education by investigating several questions analyzing the Better Environmental Education, Teaching, Learning, and Expertise Sharing (BEETLES) Project

Children playing on the DNA sculpture at the Lawrence

BEETLES: An Evaluation of a Capacity Building Model to Support Outdoor Science Programs

This brief shares (1) the underlying goals and design principles for the BEETLES project, (2) a summary of the field-testing process, and (3) program leaders’ insights about how BEETLES supported their organizational capacity building to provide professional learning for their educational staff.

Two children and a staff member are working together during a science activity.

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. 

The Lawrence Hall of Science

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.