A Reseach Base for Outdoor Corps

A recent New York Times article by David Koppel illustrates the value of programs like Outdoor Corps: "'Kids today want to tackle problems and be part of the solution,' said Peg Smith, executive director of the American Camp Association. 'They want to actually be exploring tide pools and working in aquariums. They want to be experientially involved.' At the same time, demand for biological scientists is growing, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics."

Research and evaluation studies support the design and goals of the Outdoor Corps program. The following are a sample relevant references.

The need for natural resource technology and career education programs

AAUW. 2000. Tech-Savvy: Educating Girls in the New Computer Age. The AAUW Educational Foundation Commission, American Association of University Women. Washington, D.C.

Adkins, M. 2001. Assessing the integration of technology into the curriculum. In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2001. Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), Norfolk, VA. Volume 2001 (1): 1042-1043.

CEO. 2001. Building Blocks for Student Achievement in the 21st Century: Assessment, Alignment, Accountability, Access, Analysis. The CEO Forum on Education and Technology: Year 4 Report. Washington D.C.

Kabat, E.J., Friedel, J.N., and M. Senew. 1995. Partnering to Build a Quality Workforce: Critical Issues in Environmental Technology Education at Two-year Colleges. A Report of the National Forum on Critical Issues in Environmental Technology Education at Two-year Colleges, Advanced Technological Environmental Education Center Workshop, Bettendorf, IA (ATEEC Web Site).

Mason, L. 2005. Fact Sheet #32: Agency Retirements and Enrollment Declines Create Shortage of Natural Resource Professionals. Rural Technology Initiative. Washington State University.

SCANS.1993. Teaching the SCANS Competencies. The Secretaries Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills. U.S. Department of Labor. Washington D.C.

Smerdon, B., Cronen, S., Lanahan, L., Anderson, J., Iannotti, N., Angeles, J., & B. Greene. 2000. Teachers Tools for the 21st Century: A Report on Teachers' Use of Technology. U.S. Department of Education Office of Education Research and Improvement. Washington, D.C.

Stafford, S. 2004. "Notes from the Dean." Spectrum, 10(2), 2.

White, N., Ringstaff, C., and L. Kelly. 2002. Getting the Most from Technology in Schools. WestEd. Publ., San Francisco, CA.

The value of place-based environmental service-learning programs

Chin, J. 2001. All of place: Connecting schools, youth and community through place-based education. Paper presented at the Founders Forum on Environmental Education, Place-Based Community Education Evaluation Collaborative, San Francisco, CA.

Ernst, J.A., & M.Monroe. 2004. The effects of environment-based education on students' critical thinking skills and disposition toward critical thinking. Environmental Education Research, 10(4), 507-522.

Kesson, K., & C. Oyer, C. 1999. Integrated curriculum and service-learning: Linking school-based knowledge and social action. English Education, 31(2), 135-149.

Koppel, D. 2007. Dipping a Toe Into Marine Biology, at a Summer Camp. New York Times Online.

Lieberman, G., & L. Hoody. 1998. Closing the Achievement Gap: Using the Environment as an Integrating Context for Learning. State Education and Environment Roundtable, San Diego, CA.

Plumb, S. 2003. The Potential Power of Place in Education: An Evaluation of the Northeast Community Mapping Program. A Report Prepared for the Orton Family Foundation. Rutland, VT.

Smith, G. 2002. Place-based education: Learning to be where we are. Phi Delta Kappa, 83, 584-59.