Geoscience Teaching Outdoors in NC

People look at a sediment core in a pond.

Geoscience Teaching Outdoors in NC (GET OUTdoors in NC) is a free, year-long teacher fellowship designed to engage middle and high school STEM teachers in hands-on, inquiry-based activities to support student learning about earth and environmental science.

Through field experiences, classroom-based activities and webinars, participants:

investigate climate impacts on eastern NC ecosystems and communities;
explore new technologies and engineering practices used to develop solutions to these challenges,
interact with geoscience researchers, industry professionals and environmental educators; and
discover new ways to incorporate current science content into their classrooms.

Our goal is to help teachers spark student interest in geoscience career pathways by incorporating authentic, real-world and field-based experiences in their teaching.

Teachers gain first-hand experience outdoors in the natural systems of eastern North Carolina as they participate in activities designed to boost knowledge of and confidence in using inquiry and place-based approaches to support student learning of earth/environmental science concepts.

“The access to local research scientists is one of the best parts of this program!”
– 2021-22 Participant

Participating teachers are encouraged to develop a geo-STEM lesson plan that incorporates outdoor instruction and pilot it with high school youth during the academic year.

Content and activities are aligned with the NC Essential Standards for Earth/Environmental Science, 6th-8th grade Science and AP Environmental Science and integrate science and engineering practices outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards.

“I was supported to take risks and feel very comfortable with the group! This makes learning FUN and inspires me to give my students similar experiences.” — 2021-22 Participant