Demonstrating the efficacy of learning ecology in an outdoor science education program on 5th grade science Oklahoma core curriculum test scores.

Abstract

Science education is in need of reform in order to better meet the learning needs of the students. The goal of this research was to determine if the implementation of an outdoor education program has a significant impact on the learning of ecological material in fifth grade students as measured by a state administered exam. After controlling for several demographic factors, schools that participated in a local outdoor education program were included in the experimental group (n=5 schools) and those who did not attend were members of the control group (n=5 schools). Through analysis of scores on the portion of the exam specific to ecology as well as overall science scores, it was determined that there is no significant difference between groups. Thus, outdoor education does not appear to have a significant impact on student learning. However, there were numerous limitations of this study and further research is required.