10/04/2026
From the laboratory to the field, W&M elementary education undergraduates are gaining hands-on experiences that help prepare them to inspire the next generation of learners.
As part of a recent field trip to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, our elementary education students explored the York River through seining, catching fish and engaging in hands-on activities that brought their learning to life.
Incorporating informal learning experiences and outdoor education into elementary science methods courses is essential for helping future teachers recognize that meaningful science learning extends beyond the traditional classroom. These experiences provide opportunities for teacher candidates to engage with authentic scientific phenomena, develop curiosity and consider how outdoor and informal learning environments can support accessible, inquiry-based science experiences for elementary students.
Experiences like these help future teachers build content knowledge, curiosity and confidence they can carry into their own classrooms, equipping them to create meaningful science learning opportunities for the next generation of learners.
