Transform Science Education Through Outdoor Experiential Learning

OARS Professional Development empowers educators to build fully integrated, science-driven learning experiences that connect classrooms to forests, waterways, ecosystems, community spaces, and real-world inquiry.

At Outdoor Arts & Recreation (OARS), we believe students learn best when education becomes tangible, immersive, and connected to the living world around them. Our professional development programs train educators to integrate outdoor experiential learning, environmental literacy, project-based inquiry, and interdisciplinary science instruction into everyday teaching practices.

Through hands-on workshops, field investigations, curriculum design intensives, and ongoing coaching support, OARS helps schools create transformational educational experiences that improve engagement, deepen understanding, and reconnect students with curiosity, creativity, and purpose.

WHY OARS

Traditional classroom models often separate students from authentic discovery. OARS helps educators move beyond worksheets and passive instruction toward active learning environments where students investigate ecosystems, collect field data, build scientific thinking skills, create meaningful projects, and develop real-world problem-solving abilities.

Our programs blend:

Environmental science
Earth and life sciences
Engineering and design
Literacy and storytelling
Mathematics and data analysis
Art and creativity
Physical wellness
Community engagement

The result is a deeply engaging educational framework that supports academic achievement while fostering resilience, collaboration, and lifelong curiosity.

Introductory Outdoor Learning Workshop

$500.00

2-3 Hours

Earn 2-3 NYSED CTLE Hours

An accessible introduction to outdoor experiential learning designed for schools and organizations beginning to explore science-driven outdoor education.

Ideal For:

Faculty meetings
After-school professional development
Homeschool educator groups
Pilot programs
Community education initiatives

Includes:

Introduction to outdoor learning systems
Hands-on science activities
Outdoor classroom management strategies
Environmental literacy concepts
Introductory interdisciplinary integration
Educator discussion and implementation ideas

This workshop works for groups of educators, the price point is for a group of 10 - 50 educators.

Half-Day Experiential Learning Institute

$1,000.00

3-4 Hours

Earn 3-4 NYSED CTLE Hours

A deeper professional development experience focused on integrated science instruction, interdisciplinary curriculum design, and meaningful outdoor engagement.

Includes:

Hands-on outdoor science investigations
Integrated curriculum strategies
Inquiry-based instructional methods
Lesson planning support
Teacher resource materials
Environmental and place-based education practices
Collaborative project development

Recommended For:

Elementary and middle school teams
Science educators
Curriculum coordinators
Intervention specialists
Experiential learning initiatives

This learning institute works best with groups no larger than 20. This is ideally set at OARS but can be modified for a school site setting. Lesson modelling includes copies of lesson plans that are NYS Standards and Common Core aligned (and noted!), worksheets, direction where math and ELA compnent integration are made, in addition, all teachers will be sipplied with supplemental matierlas to expand on the day’s trip!

The OARS Experiential Learning Model

OARS professional development is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: science should not exist only in textbooks.

Teachers learn how to create educational systems where classroom learning and outdoor exploration function together as one connected experience. Students observe real phenomena, ask meaningful questions, conduct investigations, analyze evidence, collaborate on projects, and communicate their findings through writing, art, engineering, and presentation.

This integrated model supports:

NYS Science Learning Standards
NGSS Science & Engineering Practices
Cross-curricular instruction
Place-based education
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Neurodiversity-supportive classrooms
Project-based learning
Career and workforce readiness

Full-Day Professional Development Institute

$1,500.00

6 Hours

Earn 6 NYSED CTLE Hours

An immersive full-day institute designed to help educators fully integrate experiential outdoor learning into classroom instruction and school culture.

Includes:

Immersive field-based learning experiences
Integrated science curriculum design
Interdisciplinary project planning
Environmental literacy implementation
Inquiry and engineering practices
Outdoor instructional strategies
Coaching consultation and implementation support
Collaborative curriculum development

Recommended For:

District-wide professional development
School improvement initiatives
STEM and environmental programs
Alternative education models
BOCES partnerships

Bring you mudboots and sunscreen! This workshop is an allday outdoor affair! Ever wonder “how do I academically engage my class outside all day?” You be the student while Dr. Kim Meehan spends the day lesson modelling for a group of up to 30 teachers at OARS. Lesson modelling includes copies of lesson plans that are NYS Standards and Common Core aligned (and noted!), worksheets, direction where math and ELA compnent integration are made, in addition, all teachers will be sipplied with supplemental matierlas to expand on the day’s trip!

Multi-Session School Partnership

$0.00

Ongoing Annual Partnership

CTLE Hours Vary by Program Structure

Starting at $3,000-$8,000 Annually

OARS provides long-term partnership models for schools and organizations seeking sustainable implementation of experiential science and outdoor learning systems.

Includes:

Multiple professional development sessions
Ongoing coaching and mentorship
Curriculum development support
Field experience integration
Outdoor learning implementation planning
Teacher mentoring
Project and assessment development
Program sustainability guidance

Partnership Benefits:

Greater long-term impact
Consistent implementation support
Scalable district-wide integration
Improved educator confidence
Stronger student engagement outcomes

This packages includes field trip site visits for classes! You tell us what you need, whether it is hands-on curriculum with in-classroom lesson modelling, full or hald-day at school workshops, at OARS workshops, we are happy to work with any and all schools!