ERIC Number: EJ1363105
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1350-4622
EISSN: EISSN-1469-5871
Available Date: N/A
Teaching outside as Third Space: Toward School Science that Acknowledges Student Ecological Expertise
Stapleton, Sarah R.; Reif, Khahlela
Environmental Education Research, v28 n9 p1373-1390 2022
In this article, we consider the narrative reflections of elementary teacher and study co-author, Khahlela, as she recounts her difficult transition from a childhood and primary schooling filled with rich experiences in the natural world into high school and university science courses which left her feeling marginalized and lacking science expertise. Using a method we term participatory narrative to unpack Khahlela's story, we reflect on the implications of her experiences for the way science is taught in schools. We argue that an important step in addressing the way science is taught is shifting "where" science is taught. Based on Khahlela's struggles, we advocate a funds of knowledge approach to recognize students who enter school with specialized outdoor, ecological, and/or naturalist knowledge, and urge the creation of space for this expertise within science classes. We combine this approach with Third Space theory to suggest using the outdoors as Third Space for school science instruction.
Descriptors: Outdoor Education, Science Education, Cultural Capital, Minority Group Students, Indigenous Knowledge, Natural Resources, Teaching Methods, Experience, Elementary Secondary Education, Elementary School Teachers
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education; Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Oregon
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A