Place Based Education + Rock Climbing = Engaged Students

Hoover High students learned about their local watershed, the hydrologic cycle, and their impact while visiting Mission Trails Regional Park. Students were engaged by the fact that they were in the watershed to observe their own physical impact. They determined what would happen to trash left at various parts of the watershed and how it would impact them as well, as others who depend on the rivers and oceans. Then, they embarked on a mental and physical push to get out of their comfort zones by going rock climbing and rappelling.

The term, “placed-based education” is somewhat new; however learning in places beyond the classroom is not. Students retain information when they are intertwined with the phenomena. The more we can get students out of the classroom, the more we can push them in their 21st century skill acquisition!