Connecting Children to Nature

by Inside the Outdoors Foundation
Play Video
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature
Connecting Children to Nature

Project Report | Mar 2, 2023
Inspiring Awe: Why It Matters

By Lori Kiesser | Coordinator, Inside the Outdoors

Exploring Nature
Exploring Nature

This morning, I stepped outside my front door to see a brilliant sunrise.  Large puffy clouds were painted a on blue canvas backlit by the sun.  Yesterday, I watched strong winds blow tree limbs across the pavement just outside my office.  Two days before that, I looked out my window to see hail peppering my car and parking spot.  Each of these experiences connected me to nature.  It made me feel like the world was much bigger than me.  The strength of the wind, the color of the sunrise, and the sound of the hail inspired a sense of awe in me.  

What is awe and why does my experience relate to the work of Inside the Outdoors?  Dacher Keltner, a scientist who has studied awe for many years, shared awe "changes your sense of who you are.  You start to realize, I'm not a separate person, I'm connected to all these people."  It is the feeling a person gets when they see a rainbow, a hummingbird, or a storm blowing through their neighborhood.  It makes us kinder, curious, and even scared.  But most importantly, it helps us develop a sense of the vastness of the world around us.  

When a student steps off the bus at an Inside the Outdoors field trip in a local natural area such as Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, they often are seeing the place for the first time.  Upper Newport Bay is an estuary that connects to the Pacific Ocean.  I've heard students, parents, and teachers gasp at the beauty in front of them. They immediately want to explore, learn, and stay.  They're surprised - wondering what lives in the estuary.  One student breathed in deeply, sighed happily, and shared, "It smells like nature.  This is the best day ever."  That is awe.  

To say that the day can be life-changing for a student is not over-exaggeration.  Take Gloria, a fifth grader who spent a day many years ago on an Inside the Outdoors field trip.  Gloria had an encounter with a Western Fence Lizard.  As she watched the frantic movements of the small creature, she said she realized that learning wasn't static.  It was real life.  A Harvard graduate, Gloria was so inspired by the moment that when asked about a transformational educational experience years later, she cited her Inside the Outdoors field trip as a catalyst. 

Awe can be inspired indoors, as well.  Inside the Outdoors Traveling Scientists, joined by our Animal Ambassadors, connect children to nature when we bring the natural world indoors.  Whether the students meet a tarantula, a rabbit, or a snake, the awe the students experience is evident.  As they learn about the world outside of their classroom, they experience a connection to the creatures that share our planet.  The teachers and parents are just as excited, filling the classroom to see who is visiting from Inside the Outdoors. 

And this all happens in the context of learning.  It is science that comes to life.  It is an emotional connection that encourages curiousity.  It can be life-changing. Each donor - at any level - is part of the work we do to inspire students.  We are thankful for the many people who help us connect over 100,000 students a year to nature. 

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Nov 15, 2022
Eco Challenge Learning Opportunities for Students

By Holly Steele | Administrator

Jul 29, 2022
Summer Day Camp Returns to Huntington Beach

By Yarib Dheming | Project Leader

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.

Sign up for updates

Organization Information

Inside the Outdoors Foundation

Location: Costa Mesa, CA - USA
Website:
Facebook: Facebook Page
Twitter: @itofoundation
Project Leader:
Sara Ludovise
Program Development Manager
Costa Mesa , California United States

Learn more about GlobalGiving

Teenage Science Students
Vetting +
Due Diligence

Snorkeler
Our
Impact

Woman Holding a Gift Card
Give
Gift Cards

Young Girl with a Bicycle
GlobalGiving
Guarantee

Get incredible stories, promotions, and matching offers in your inbox

WARNING: Javascript is currently disabled or is not available in your browser. GlobalGiving makes extensive use of Javascript and will not function properly with Javascript disabled. Please enable Javascript and refresh this page.