INQUIRY BASED PROJECTS
OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Welcome to your alternate learning opportunity! Proceed to the Introduction to see what's next.
Good Inquiry Questions
There are a number of factors to consider when building a good inquiry question.
Your question should:
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matter to you
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have more than one answer (ie. should not be answered by a simple "yes" or "no")
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make people think and wonder
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take time to find the answer
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provoke more questions
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have a clear focus
Curriculum Connections
Big Ideas
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Below you will find 4 Big Ideas from the Outdoor Education curriculum. The last one is for Grade 12 students only. These ideas represent what you will understand at the end of the whole course. They provide a focus for you for your inquiry project. You should attempt to address 1 or more of these big ideas with your question.
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These ideas should have staying power. This means that you should be thinking and learning about things that will persist past your high school career.
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Participation in outdoor activities allows for the development of skills in a complex and dynamic environment.
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Spending time outdoors allows us to develop an understanding of the natural environment.
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Participating safely in outdoor activities requires communication, teamwork, and collaboration.
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Participation in outdoor activities allows for the development of leadership skills that can be applied in a variety of contexts and environments. (Grade 12 only)
Potential Topics
Below you will find a list of potential topics that are taken directly from the Outdoor Education curriculum. You will generate AT LEAST 3 topics for further research from this list.
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health benefits of outdoor activities
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outdoor activity skills in a variety of settings, including different weather conditions and physical environments
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First Peoples traditional practices and ecological knowledge related to activities in the local environment
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the role of environmental awareness and stewardship in outdoor recreation and conservation
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preparation for outdoor activities
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strategies for adapting and responding to changing conditions and emergencies
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first aid skills for responding to emergencies
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communication in emergency situations
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management of group dynamics and conflict in an outdoor environment
Research Tools
Introduction
1: Create a folder in your student file titled 'Outdoor Ed Inquiry'
2: Read through the 'Good Inquiry Questions' page.
3: Read through the Curriculum Connections and Potential Topics pages.
4: Brainstorm possible topics. Come up with AT LEAST 3 ideas. Fill out the Exploring a Topic sheet for at least 1 of your ideas. Discuss with your teacher or teacher librarian.
5: Complete, save and share Inquiry Reflection #1.
6: Wait for feedback from the teacher librarian or your teacher. Use that feedback to perfect your inquiry question.
7: Fill out the first 2 columns of the KWL chart and save it.
8: Check out the Research Tools page. These are the tools you will be using for research AND for showing your learning.
9: Research! If your research skills are not so strong - consult your teacher librarian. Use school databases!
10: Fill out the Note Taking Template and Citation Template for each RELIABLE, RELEVANT source that you find. You should have AT LEAST 3. Save these documents to your Outdoor Ed Inquiry folder.
11: Fill out Inquiry Reflection #2 and save and share with your teacher and teacher librarian.
12: Make a plan to share your learning in a format that will appeal to a wide audience. Discuss this plan with your teacher and teacher librarian.
13: Share your learning! Be prepared to answer questions. You must include your sources (i.e. the Citation templates).
Hello and welcome to the GSS Outdoor Ed Inquiry Based Learning portal! This website is the tool that you need to use to successfully complete your alternate learning assignment for Outdoor Ed. Please follow the steps below and ask questions if you are confused by anything.