Paula Wang - Sidwell Friends School

Paula Wang of Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. teaches an AP Environmental Science course. For the past 15 years, Ms. Wang has conducted field trips to nearby Rock Creek National Park where, in partnership with National Audubon Society, students conduct macroinvertebrate samplings throughout the school year. Park staff use these findings for their resource assessment. One of her students wrote, "The ideas I learned were not just ideas that I had to cram into my head before a test and which I would then quickly forget. The material was actually interesting and is useful stuff that I can apply to my everyday life."

Ms. Wang said field studies to engage her students and provide a great introduction to studying the environment. She says these trips are always successful and feels it is the best way to introduce students to studying the environment:

"No matter what the age, students love getting in the water and finding what's living there," she said. "It also is a great introduction to ecosystem structure and function, biodiversity and indicators, and gets them thinking about factors that affect water quality including the role that they play."

Ms. Wang suggests working with your school administration and contacting local nature centers and parks to help you facilitate more outdoor education opportunities for your classroom.