Outdoor Activities for Science Education

Excursions or outdoor activities in teaching subjects such as science, should be an important part of the learning experience. These may include field trips, visits to local places of interest like factories, farms, game parks, rivers or streams and weather stations among others. These are to be carefully and cautiously prepared to avoid any eventual incidence.

PLANNING YOUR VISIT

The cost of transport makes long trips very difficult. However, there are usually places of interest in your area that can help to illustrate science topics in the curriculum.

Plan visits as a way of introducing a topic, as a practical activity linked to class work or as a project. Individual pupils and groups should know what information they will need to collect and what tasks they will need to complete after the visit. After the visit, when you return to class go over the important points and ensure that everyone is quite clear about concepts learnt during the field trip.

SAFETY ISSUES IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES SCIENCE

There could be regulations concerning the number of children each teacher can supervise during outdoor activities. If the number of children is large you may request company of another teacher. The following must be observed by the teacher:

• You should have a check list of the pupils under your care.
• Make sure that the pupils know the rules of road safety, before you go out.
• You visit the place in advance to warn them of any potential hazards.
• Discuss safety with your pupils and get them to compile a list of the dos and don’ts, e.g. no pupil should leave the group without telling someone; no one should pick up or eat anything without asking permission.
• You may appoint responsible group members to help you to keep everyone together.

ORGANISATION OF THE VISIT

Always discuss proposed visits with your Head teacher first. You or the Head teacher may be legally required to inform the local District Director of Education (District education Board Secretary’s office)

Parents should also be informed about the intended visits, especially if pupils are going to a distant place from the school. You may wish to write the parents a note about the visit.

EFFECTS OF ACCIDENTS

Accidents are not called for but may happen at any time. When an accident happens, one or more of the following may be the result:

• Wasted time
• Spoiled materials or broken apparatus

Personal injury results in pain and suffering and in certain instances loss of life.