From Ladybugs to Land-Based Learning: Making Outdoor Education Work with Nicole Turner

In this episode, Derek and Chris sit down with Nicole Turner to explore the realities, challenges, and opportunities of outdoor learning across grade levels.

Nicole shares her journey from outdoor camps to classroom teaching and her work with EcoJustice, along with insights from her master’s research focused on helping teachers increase outdoor learning in their practice. She also discusses the creation of a widely used resource hub designed to make outdoor learning more accessible for educators.

A key theme throughout the episode is Nicole’s belief that “small is beautiful.” Rather than focusing on large-scale trips or complex planning, she encourages educators to start with simple, local experiences—using nearby green spaces, schoolyards, and spontaneous moments of curiosity as powerful entry points for learning.

The conversation highlights:

•  The ease of inquiry-based learning in kindergarten and early years 
•  How outdoor environments naturally spark curiosity and engagement 
•  The social and emotional benefits of getting older students outside 
•  The importance of revisiting the same outdoor spaces to build connection and familiarity 
•  Strategies for lowering barriers to outdoor learning, including simple planning and resource sharing 
•  The role of community, care partners, and guest experts in enriching learning experiences 
•  The importance of reconnecting students with the natural world and their local environment 

Nicole also shares practical classroom examples—from ladybug inquiries to bird studies and place-based exploration—that demonstrate how outdoor learning can be both simple and deeply impactful.

Links to Nicole's Work

Outdoor Learning Support Document for Teachers

Breaking Out of the Textbox - Increasing Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Learning Resource Hub - This guide was developed for Saskatoon School Divisions but most of the information should be applicable (with some degree of variance) to any school within the province.

You can contact us and access our research, project ideas and more at:
https://engagedstudent.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html