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Originally appears in the Fall 2021 issue.

By Lori Walsh and William Straits

In this article, we describe rationales and strategies to aid classroom teachers in connecting with informal educators during this time of transition to a post-pandemic world. We encourage teachers to expand their thinking about possible sites for informal environmental and STEAM learning to include a wide range of possibilities, from landfills to restaurants and museums to flower shops. Additionally, we provide tips for teachers to aid them as they identify and interact with their informal learning institution(s) and urge teachers to see these sites as opportunities for their own personal and professional learning.

ILIs

For many of us, our greatest school memories are of learning that occurred outside of the classroom setting. Field trips to Informal Learning Institutions (ILIs), such as zoos and nature centers, are among the most memorable and impactful experiences of a child’s schooling, and can help to instill stewardship and appreciation for the natural world. But there is more to these special places than just a one-time field trip. Many ILIs also provide professional development to teachers, deliver outreach programs, and even loan materials for classroom use. And now, due to the pandemic, many ILIs have shifted their focus from onsite field trips to alternative means for reaching teachers, children, and families, such as teacher webinars, virtual field trips, and live cams or online instructional programs that provide behind-the-scenes peeks as staff care for their collection. So, this may be the perfect time for reaching out to ILIs and sharing them with your students. Below we share four recommendations for connecting to your local ILI and some specific considerations for working with ILIs online in our current COVID world.