Image courtesy of Expeditions in Education
We are so excited to introduce you to Expeditions in Education, an organization that focuses on STEM education through outdoor experiences. Specifically, they visit national parks around the country and create STEM challenges that connect real-world problems in the parks with the United Nations Global Goals. In their own words,
“We travel around the country, filming in National Parks, in order to bring real-world experiences to students, families, and teachers. We research the challenges that National Parks face and then write STEM content that teachers and parents can introduce to their students and children. Each experience includes a look at the park, its history, its place in the world, and the impact it has on those around it. We include a STEM challenge connected to one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Goals … We also host professional learning communities at National Parks to connect, collaborate, and create content to share with their students upon return.” — Dacia Jones
Image courtesy of Expeditions in Education
In this edition of the blog, you’ll meet the co-founders of Expeditions in Education, Dacia (aka Dr. Drizzle) and Steve Jones. They’ll share a little of their journey as well as tips for incorporating STEM into your own teaching. I’m grateful for their willingness to sit down with us and share their experiences.
Video courtesy of Expeditions in Education
Can you tell us a little bit about yourselves and how you wound up in STEM?
Dacia: I have always been interested in solving problems. Growing up, I would take apart things that my dad had just put together. My mom was a teacher and she would let me play in her classroom before I was old enough to go to school. I liked playing with the chalk and pretending to be her. It was just a matter of time before I would decide that I wanted to become a teacher. I was in the classroom as a teacher for 15 years, then moved into instructional coaching, and finally became the District Science Director.
Tell us about Expeditions in Education
Expeditions in Education is a perfect collaboration between myself and my husband, Steve. We both love being outdoors and exploring the National Parks. When Steve suggested that we leave our current jobs and begin this nonprofit, my answer was, “When?”
We know that outdoor experiences help students increase their understanding of natural and human communities which leads to a sense of place. Students can develop stronger environmental attitudes and have a deeper understanding of civic issues. We want to provide outdoor learning experiences to support educators so they can raise the next generation of responsible citizens who care about each other and the Earth. With STEAM in the PARK, we know that learning outside the classroom can help teachers create enthusiasm for learning, provide a real-world context, and expose students to a range of STEM careers. Our goal is to integrate outdoor learning via the National Parks with Real World Problems utilizing tools such as the UN Global Goals.
Image courtesy of Expeditions in Education
What is your favorite Expedition, and why?
We love all of our travels but more than that, the purpose behind our travels. Our goal is to inspire students to see the National Parks as their parks and encourage them to become good stewards of each park. Asking us to choose our favorite destination is like asking parents to choose their favorite child. All of the expeditions are important and special to us because we learn so much and are able to create opportunities for students to learn and grow as humans.
Image courtesy of Expeditions in Education
Why should teachers explore Expeditions in Education?
At Expeditions in Education, we know that students around the world have the ability to solve problems. We aspire to give them opportunities to do that every single day. We travel around the country, filming in National Parks, in order to bring real-world experiences to students, families, and teachers. We research the challenges that National Parks face and then write STEM content that teachers and parents can introduce to their students and children. Each experience includes a look at the park, its history, its place in the world, and the impact it has on those around it. We include a STEM challenge connected to one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Goals. These goals are ones that affect us all! We also host professional learning communities at National Parks to connect, collaborate, and create their content to share with their students upon return. Our website and community are built to inspire students and encourage teachers.
Our STEAM in the PARK adventures are specifically for teachers. Our mission is to encourage educators to engage students in thoughtful, real-world problems that challenge our world today using the National Parks and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as inspiration. We hope that teachers K-12 will apply to attend one of our 12 offerings next summer.
Sample activities from Expeditions in Education
What advice would you give to students who are interested in STEM?
I would tell them to find a challenge and offer a solution. STEM is all about seeking solutions, using your critical thinking and collaborative skills to make the world a better place!
Thanks to Dacia and Steve Jones for taking the time to answer my questions. If you’d like to learn more about their work and explore some of the expeditions, check out their website.
— Corey Hall, Ph.D., MLIS
