Five Simple Ways to Bring Nature Into Any Lesson

:You don’t need a national park outside your classroom window to bring the outdoors in. Nature is everywhere — in the sound of rain, the curve of a leaf, and the questions your students are already asking. Whether you teach in a bustling city, a small-town school, or from behind a computer screen, connecting lessons to the natural world can spark curiosity, calm, and creativity.
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The beauty of outdoor-inspired learning is that it doesn’t require perfect conditions — just a willingness to notice. When we bring a bit of nature into our lessons, we remind students that science, art, and wonder exist all around them.
Here are five simple ways to bring nature into any lesson, any time of year.

1️⃣ Start with Observation
Set aside five minutes to simply notice. Ask students to look out a window, step onto the playground, or close their eyes and listen. What do they hear? What patterns do they see? Observation builds curiosity — and curiosity builds scientists, artists, and writers.
Try pairing this with a journal prompt:
“What’s one thing in nature that changed today?”

2️⃣ Use Natural Materials in Lessons
A pinecone can teach geometry. A leaf can inspire poetry. Pebbles can become math manipulatives or story starters. Bringing real objects into the classroom grounds abstract ideas in tangible experience — and engages every sense.

3️⃣ Make Nature Your Co-Teacher
Before your next lesson, ask yourself: What would this look like outside?
Could students measure tree shadows during math? Could you read under a tree or test wind direction during science? Even ten minutes of outdoor learning can shift the tone of a day — for students and teachers alike.

4️⃣ Connect Lessons to Local Landscapes
Every place has a story — and every story connects to learning. Whether it’s a river nearby, a city garden, or a local park, invite students to learn about the ecosystems and communities around them. When students understand where they live, they begin to care for it.

5️⃣ Celebrate Curiosity Over Correctness
Encourage questions, not just answers. The outdoors reminds us that learning is rarely tidy — it’s layered, living, and full of wonder. When students feel safe to ask, explore, and fail forward, the classroom becomes as alive as any forest trail.

A Note for Educators
Every year, we see teachers rediscover the joy of learning during our STEAM in the PARK programs — and it always starts with curiosity. Educators from across the country gather in national parks to explore, learn, and grow together through hands-on, place-based experiences that remind us why we teach.
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We’re thrilled to share that applications for Year 6 of STEAM in the PARK open on January 1st at steaminthepark.net. Whether you’ve joined us before or have been waiting for your chance to step into this community, this is your invitation to reignite your fire for teaching — surrounded by nature, colleagues, and wonder.