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The Ecologist School is the basis for all of our programming. When we take families out into nature, or train guides to take their own communities outdoors, the Ecologist School lessons provide the answer to “what do we do now that we’re outside?” The Ecologist School is an informal science education program that allows people to earn badges in 16 branches of science by learning and playing in nature together. The lessons in the guidebook are intended for all ages all together and most can be done in your own backyard, or even in your house, with minimal materials. The Ecologist School lessons can be done by a Nature Community, family, group of friends, classroom, or anyone eager to connect to nature more deeply. The Ecologist School is open ended and encourages curiosity that naturally leads to learning. Each lesson includes a Science Seed that contains all the information you need to know! You don’t need to be a scientist to use the Ecologist School!
The Circle of Sciences is broken into sixteen Science Slices. Badges can be earned for each Science Slice by completing four activities across eight learning categories: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math, Outdoor Skills, Volunteerism, and Leadership. Record your experiences in your nature journal and order your badges online! Complete ten of the sixteen badges to become a Certified Junior Ecologist or go all the way and accomplish a Humboldt Project, FIN’s service learning capstone!
Complete 10 of the 16 Ecologist School badges and a Humboldt Project to become an official Certified Junior Ecologist!
Interested in using the Ecologist School curriculum at your school, organization, nature center or other green space?
Email info@familiesinnature.org to find out more about our licensing options, partnering opportunities and custom place based pocket guides.
We encourage everyone to keep a Nature Journal as a means to express yourself creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. Nature Journals are a great place to record observations, memories and inspiration from your time spent in nature.