 | Mission: The mission of the Texas Tech University Outdoor School is to inspire students and teachers to develop passion and a sense of ownership and identity towards nature and the watershed in which they live, while building better classroom environments and generating higher TAKS scores. The Outdoor School program was designed to provide unique opportunities to use the environment as an integrating context for interdisciplinary, collaborative, student-centered, hands-on and engaged learning, with a focus on the sciences and mathematics. The TTU OS program is consistent with and a component of the goals of the Texas Tech University strategic plan to: provide programs and services that disseminate knowledge and skill and that build strategic partnerships and alliances with external entities; create high-quality field based science education programs for regional school districts; sponsor professional development training for K-12 teachers from the region and increase the enrollment and diversity of students entering college in STEM content areas. |
Philosophy on teaching and learning: Several studies indicate that if a child has not had a positive experience in nature and the outdoors by age 8 or 9, they will have little interest in the environment in later life emphasizes the importance of a meaningful early exposure to a field experience. Early experiences are often through family or school activities. In the case of school activities, field experiences are most meaningful if they are part of, or linked to, a student’s science curriculum rather than an isolated “field trip”. In this manner the field experience can be integrated with classroom activities. Successful linkage, however, often requires that teachers also have had previous exposure to field experiences, which often is not the case.
Students receive a backpack loaded with tesing instruments - |  |
Field experiences can also have a positive influence on heightening students’ interest in science and serve as an entry point to considering a career in science. Many researchers in the field biological sciences point to early field exposure as being the life changing experience, which led to their continued interest in science. The TTU Outdoor School motto is, "Inspiring students to develop passion and a sense of ownership and identity towards nature and the watershed in which they live, while building better classroom environments and generating higher TAKS scores". Very little time is occupied in a lecture mode of instruction. Instead, the program immerses learners in authentic real world, hands-on activities that stimulate imagination, develop a curiosity about life and create an environment to share discoveries.  | History: Originally the Outdoor School at Texas Tech University in Junction was formed as a planning partnership with the Lower Colorado River Authority in 2003 and was formally instituted in 2004 with grants from the U.S. Department of Education. Texas Tech University Center at Junction is located in the Central Texas Hill Country. The campus provides an excellent setting for a variety of year-round activities. Located on the South Llano River, the diverse 400-acre campus provides a natural landscape for academic learning, recreation, and solitude. As part of Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, the Junction campus serves as a natural laboratory for science courses as well as being a vital part of the Department of Art's recruiting and graduate studies. |
Primary challenge and area of focus: The TTU OS Program illustrates, incorporates and addresses multiple Exemplar categories, but is especially strong in teacher professional development, mentoring and collaboration and is highly effective with transdisciplinary STEM instruction and improving success of traditionally underrepresented students. TTU OS effectiveness is attributable to the focus on· Auditory, visual and kinesthetic instruction and learning Inquiry based learning Teacher workshops and observation of TTU OS teachers and instruction Transdisciplinary, multi-experiential learning, instruction and activity that includes team building, manners and self confidence across the OS STEM curriculum and 4 day/3 night stay Pre-K-12 OS stay teacher preparation and post-K-12 OS follow up, with schools and teachers by TTU OS teachers. Within TTU OS, adaptive weekly teacher staff meetings discuss and address strengths and weaknesses of that week’s K-12 school to aid in follow up instruction and to improve curriculum. Strategy & Implementation: Needs Assessment: The understanding that if a child has not had a positive experience in the field by age 8 or 9, they will have little interest in the environment in later life emphasizes the importance of an early exposure to a field experience. Objectives: The Outdoor School at Texas Tech University in Junction, Texas is devoted to creating innovative educational experiences that immerse learners into authentic, real world, hands-on activities that stimulate imagination and understanding of difficult abstract concepts. The Outdoor School is an extension of the classroom and is not to be mistaken for a camp. The units taught are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and programs, with common focus and goals, are individualized to each independent school district and individual classroom teacher to make sure everyone's needs are acknowledged and met. | Texas Tech University Outdoor School Exemplar Program is a STEM TEKS transdisciplinary, inquiry-based, innovative curriculum (12 content areas) that incorporates multiple best learning practices to improve instruction for at-risk students and teachers from urban environments, in which access to outdoors and materials is restricted. The model is flexible, adaptive, and transportable and can be effectively replicated through training on the Junction campus, school district campuses (anywhere there is an accessible outdoor space, lawn, trees, nearby park etc.), city or state parks and informal science centers. The Outdoor School Exemplar is designed to: · 1) Improve STEM teaching effectiveness and student learning for at-risk urban school
2) Increase dissemination of the TTU OS Exemplar model through TSTEM outlets, publications, websites and workshops
3) Conduct additional research to further document TTU OS Exemplar model effectiveness. |  |
The TTU OS Exemplar Model leads to improved STEM instruction and curriculum, better teachers and students, and increased learning and interest in STEM subjects and careers. Funding: Support is derived from multiple funding sources including: DOE grants, T-STEM, school district funding, TTU-TLTC grants, Texas High School Project and foundations. Outcomes: In 2005-2006, assessments of seven Title 1 schools that attended TTU OS showed · - 5 of the 7 had gains on the percentage that “met standard” on the TAKS; · - 4 of the 7 had gains on the percentage earning “commended performance”; · - All 7 schools were among the top 11 in gains in “met standard”; · - All 7 were among the top 11 in gains in earning “commended performance”; · - 2 were top 5 “met standard”; and 2 were top 5 “commended performance”. · - All Title 1 schools had a 15 – 30% increase in TAKS scores versus a modest 2% gain on the non Title 1 schools within the district not attending the TTU OS program.
Awards: TTU’s Outdoor School was recently awarded the prestigious 2008 Organization of Biological Field Stations Human Diversity Award. “The OBFS Human Diversity Award provides recognition for unique activities, programs, or approaches (funded or unfunded) that increases the involvement, engagement, and sustainability of underrepresented groups in field science. Broadly speaking, underrepresented groups in field science may include, but are not limited to, ethnic minorities (blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, etc.), women, inner-city youth, disadvantaged rural communities, K-12 groups, tribal colleges, community colleges, undergraduate institutions with small programs, and citizen monitoring programs.”
 | TTU OS has multiple positive impacts on students. The program provides integrated learning experiences in a real world application. Teamwork is a key part of the program - curricular and all scheduled activities focus on Communication, Cooperation and Commitment. Students have the opportunity to use all senses in learning, think for themselves, take ownership and enjoy being students. At the TTU OS, every moment is a teachable moment; students also learn manners and respect. Each child is stimulated through activities that meet all learning styles and multiple intelligences. Positive learning impacts occur through learner-centered instruction, shared investigations and repetition of concepts in multiple ways for better student understanding. According to teachers' ratings, the children who attended TTU OS had significantly higher ratings in self-esteem, conflict resolution, relationship with peers, problem solving, motivation to learn, and behavior in class. |
Lessons Learned:The TTU Outdoor School model is flexible, adaptive, and transportable and can be effectively replicated through training on the Junction campus, school district campuses (anywhere there is an accessible outdoor space, lawn, trees, nearby park etc.), state parks and informal science centers. Plans include · - Expansion of the scope of site teacher training workshops, traveling OS Laboratory, TTU OS website, TSTEM website, academy and training outlets, partnerships with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s state park educational and outreach efforts, and informal science centers and museums. · - Development of an integrated STEM curriculum vertically aligned across K-6, middle school, high school and post secondary education that will track the progress of students, their academic success and subsequent career decisions. PartPartners: The TTU OS has multiple partnerships with · 31 school districts · 2 Universities · 2 State agencies · National science and educational organizations With Lower Colorado River Authority, TTU OS has an agreement for curriculum development and sharing and joint marketing plans, as well as water related expertise and research. The partnership with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department involves pending state funding for the mutual development of outdoor classroom programs and outreach for Texas’ state park system. The TTU OS relationship with the TTU College of Education involves field trips to Junction and student teaching opportunities for pre-service teachers. With the Organization of Biological Field Stations we are involved in a nationwide study of the role of field station programs in K-12 STEM educational experiences for our nation’s youth. TTU Outdoor School is a component of the Texas Tech T-STEM Center; therefore curriculum will be easily integrated into the network through published material, workshops and website capabilities. | Initiative: Exemplar Grant Program Exemplar Category(s): Teacher professional development, mentoring and collaboration and is highly effective with transdisciplinary STEM instruction and improving success of traditionally underrepresented students.
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Demographics: Grades Served: K - 12 Total Students: 6,146 from 2004 to spring 2007 - Caucasian: 51% - African American: 5% - Hispanic: 43% - Other: 1% - Qualifying for federal free/reduced lunch: 50% Resources · Contact: Llano River Field Station Texas Tech University PO Box 186 Junction, TX 76849, 325 446-2301 FAX: 325 446-4011 |