AFS Outside - Science in the Outdoors!

The AFS Outside program means that we go outside a LOT in science class! Did you know what the acronym AFS Outside stands for?   It stands for AFS Outdoor Scholarship, Inquiry, Discovery and Exploration. The Lower School faculty developed this mission statement to support our outdoor learning goals:

A first grade student studies a spider web very closely.

The Abington Friends Lower School community is dedicated to developing and maintaining natural spaces on our school grounds where the community can have sustained and meaningful interactions with the living world.   Natural spaces provide environments for observation, investigation and active hands-on learning. Interactions in these living classrooms foster curiosity, imagination, and create passion for and knowledge of the natural world. We believe that a commitment to outdoor learning will deepen socially responsible, culturally sensitive and environmentally aware behavior in our community.

In science class, we get outside every chance we get!  There's so much value in learning outside; the students learn to observe the world around them more closely, and develop questions about things they are wondering about.  At the beginning of the year, there are so many opportunities to spend time in the outdoors.  

3rd grade students make observations about the creek.

In Kindergarten, we'll start our seed hunts very soon.  Fall is a terrific time to study seeds as it's the season that the trees and other plants are making their seeds.  1st grade students went outside for Monarch Watch, a citizen science program to report Monarch butterfly sightings and other observations along the Monarch butterfly migration route. 

2nd grade students discuss the features of their tree.

Second grade spends a lot of time outdoors!  The students study trees throughout the seasons. One of their first outdoor experiences was to pick a tree to study.  Some of their questions included: "How old is my tree?", "I wonder how tall my tree is?" and "Why is my tree's bark so smooth?".




"Creek Walk" is a highlight of 3rd grade!  Students study our creek and travel to other creeks to study macroinvertebrate life, among other things.  Students have already been out to observe the creek and make their first venture into the creek this week.

4th grade students measure long distances with trundle wheels.

Outdoor learning isn't just about nature.  4th grade ventured outside to measure very long distances with trundle wheels.  It was good practice in the metric system and in recording data accurately. Throughout the year, we'll continue our outdoor adventures and take full advantage of our beautiful campus!