[Odonata-l] More on Getting people outside

[JohnBelshe]

	There may be several reasons individuals do not get more education  
about their biological surroundings, but i think we field biologists  
are partially responsible.  We have not demanded that first hand  
outdoor experiences be kept in our elementary, secondary and  
university curricula.
	I was asked to teach Science for Elementary Teachers as part of the  
education of university students being prepared to teach elementary  
school and did so for several years.  I was a member of the  
Department of Biology.  The two courses were in physical science and  
biological science.  Both provided first hand experience in the  
preparation and delivery of materials in the elementary classroom.   
In the biological course we had several field trips into locally  
available areas and discussions of how to find and use similar  
areas.  Experience was provided with a large variety of organisms, as  
many live as possible.  Sure, the prospective teachers did not enjoy  
handling snakes and cockroaches, but they had the experience and  
survived.
	When the university decided to form a Department of Science  
Education and hire new faculty to teach the courses, the field work  
was quickly done away with in favor of a bunch of theoretical  
garbage.  Teaching was no longer done by example.
	I think all of you can predict what happened, the teachers no longer  
had any experience and most would not venture outside the classroom.   
If you know of any elementary teacher or school in particular with no  
field or outdoor experience in their curriculum, I suggest you visit  
with them and volunteer to assist in the planning and execution if  
necessary of some kind of experience.
	If you think it would be scary to take your experience and organisms  
into an elementary classroom, think of what it is for an elementary  
teacher to plan and execute a program of instruction including a  
field experience when he or she has no experience themselves.  I know  
first hand that the inexperienced teacher is most afraid of failure  
and will avoid the situation if necessary.
	Thank you for reading if you got this far.

John F. Belshe
Professor Emeritus of Biology
University of Central Missouri [formerly Central Missouri State  
University]