I live in Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes and 4-6 months of winter. But in the last couple of weeks, spring has been sneaking around. Our cars are warmer, the sun is brighter, and the days are longer. We sprung forward too. In Minnesota, people are running outside in shorts again. To me, it signals that change is here.
So often we talk about classroom learning and focus our energies on what happens in that 25’ x25’ box. But, as educators, we know that learning can and will happen anywhere. Let’s take our students outside!
According to Psychology Today, a recent study in Frontiers of Psychology suggested that outdoor learning has a tremendous impact on student motivation. In the study of 300 students, outdoor learning increased overall student competence. The same research group also found that outdoor learning promoted healthy levels of stress hormone cortisol in students throughout the day.
Our Commitment
Moving Minds is committed to helping you achieve your goals, regardless of where the learning happens. We have a lot of products that are lightweight, mobile, and would make for great outdoor learning stations. The Surf Floor Desk lets students perch anywhere to work. Our new HybrED Beanbag Chair is designed for back support for the coziest of reading nooks! Our Revolve Active Stools and TiltED Active Seats are slightly unstable to keep students moving and focused throughout long lessons.
At the end of the day, our goal is to provide students with the greatest opportunity to be successful. Inside. Outside. Mobile. Stationary. In groups. Individually. Moving Minds is committed to helping to mold successful students.
Matt Levine is the Brand Manager for Moving Minds. He holds an Master of Education, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Iowa State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Drake University. Matt came to Moving Minds in 2018 after working in higher education for more than 10 years, serving time in student life and activities and leadership development programming. When Matt is home and not chasing his two kids Ellie and Will around the yard (who are typically chasing their dog Ruxin around the yard), he enjoys cooking with his wife Anne, and embracing the outdoor activities that Minnesota offers!
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