An award-winning science teacher recalls her youth in Appalachian Kentucky and how she learned the fundamental concepts of biology, botany, hydrology, and geology playing and working in the family's "holler." The holler also gave her a philosophy of teaching--she has her students experience the wonders of the natural world before…

Place makes learning relevant and underlies identity. When schools give kids tools and expectations and integrate them into their curricular and extracurricular activities, the school becomes a creative force in a community. Then students can produce outcomes that demonstrate their abilities, enhance the reputation of their schools, and make a…

Students from an Albany (New York) free school spent a week repairing storm damage in a Puerto Rican village with a rich history of community solidarity. The students learned how good it feels to help others and the power of cooperation. They also encountered another culture, discovered they could cope with challenge, and experienced appreciation…

The Applications in Biology/Chemistry (ABC) curriculum is a real-world approach designed for the middle 50% of secondary students who may not learn in a predominantly abstract way. Stressing contextual and cooperative learning, ABC features 10 laboratory exercises and other hands-on, problem-solving activities involving visits to job sites and…

This article argues that the trend in college student public service cannot be sustained unless it is linked to the faculty's teaching mission, both disciplinary and interdisciplinary. This includes institutionalization of service learning in the field of pedagogy and within specific disciplines, and the linking of service learning to other higher…

Describes 10 educational practices to reduce fears of participants in adventure activities. Practices include formal informed consent, safety briefing, reassurance of nonjudgmental experiential-learning principles, statement of group and individual goals, sequential development of activities, "challenge by choice," instructor behavior and…

Discusses the use of networked technologies to add value to the learning experience during vocational placements of undergraduate students. Presents a case study showing the design and implementation of such networked support, and concludes that networked technologies such as audio conferencing and Web-based support have definite advantages for…

Describes an experiential learning strategy and field research project that was used as a means of transforming undergraduate students' gender understandings by engaging them in the research process from the development of hypotheses through the interpretation of data collected in field interviews. Discusses student reactions. (CMK)

A Gathering of Waters is a community-based art and activism project to raise awareness that the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo is a desperately endangered river, connect communities dependent on the river, and galvanize those communities into action. Activities provided actual and symbolic experiences of river water for American Indian, Hispanic, Anglo, and…

Let's Get Real, a competitive program in its 5th year, challenges teams of secondary students (in public, private, and home schools) to solve actual problems posed by corporate co- sponsors. Proposed solutions are presented at corporate headquarters and judged by corporate executives, scientists, and engineers. (MLH)

Describes historical precedents and current trends in the incorporation of gardening into the school curriculum in South Carolina and California. In these outdoor classrooms, children plan and implement specific projects related to nutrition, environmental awareness, and community beautification, as well as an appreciation for nature. (SAS)

Drawing in a nature journal connects students to their immediate environment, integrates many disciplines, and encourages various styles of learning. It is not necessary to draw well; nature journaling is about learning observation skills, not drawing skills. Equipment, getting started, and various exercises are described. Fifteen resources are…

A degree in adventure education is not a prerequisite for employment in the profession. Furthermore, since degree requirements cannot provide experience, a degree is insufficient. Nevertheless, a degree offers a theoretical foundation not readily learned as a practitioner, and it offers the opportunity for developing more effective professionals.…

Reports on the development of a series of assignments for use in a basic microbiology course involving sophomore-, junior-, and senior-level students from five different biology majors. Assignments include writing, a class debate, and case history studies. (Author/MM)

Examines integrating computer mediated communication (CMC) in graduate education and describes the use of CMC to promote experiential learning in an educational-technology course, highlighting approach and objectives, curriculum changes, design of virtual space, instructional method, and results. Suggests further implementations. (PEN)