George Lucas Educational Foundation

Place-Based Learning

Location, location, location! See what happens when schoolwork explores students’ connections with local history, environment, culture, or economy.

Sort by:
Recommended
  • 4 Steps to Establishing a Place-Based Learning Program

    Immersing students in their communities allows them to learn about the world from right in their own backyards.
    Signe Daly
    243
  • How to Facilitate Meaningful Outdoor Learning

    Exploring the natural world is a powerful strategy for middle and high school. Here are four ways to get students learning outside.
    273
  • A Handy Framework for Designing Units of Study

    People, places, and problems offer rich opportunities for real-world learning. This unit design framework ensures engaging, aligned learning objectives, experiences, and assessments.
    381
  • With Safety in Mind, Schools Take Classes Outdoors

    There are plenty of logistics to consider, but educators say outdoor classes keep kids and teachers safer—and provide much-needed fresh air.
    12.9k
  • How to Set Up Outdoor Class Time With Elementary Students

    Spending time outside one day each week helps students find a sense of calm and become careful observers of the natural world.
    555
  • Using Origami to Teach Children About Endangered Animals

    As elementary students turn squares of paper into animals they’re studying, the age-old Japanese art form makes lessons more memorable.
    1.2k
  • Outdoor Science Lessons Foster Environmental Stewardship

    By creating opportunities for students to study outside, teachers can connect their classes to nature through hands-on lessons.
    498
  • A Place-Based Study of the Industrial Revolution for Elementary Students

    Doing a deep dive into the industrial revolution allows students to understand the history of their city and of child labor.
    208
  • Capitalizing on the Pedagogy of Place

    Place-based learning provides fertile ground for projects that enhance students’ understanding of history.
    371
  • 7 Tips for Moving Learning Outside

    Though it can seem daunting, getting students outdoors for even 30 minutes offers many benefits. This checklist can help get you started.
    916
  • Simple Ways to Bring Learning Outside

    Going outside helps students focus, and activities for classes from social studies to math can incorporate the natural world.
    1.2k
  • Building a Sustainable Future—One Classroom at a Time

    A mini-golf course, a canoe trip down the local river, a discussion about environmental justice. Here’s how schools are teaching students about environmental science.
    809
  • Engaging Students With Community-Based Projects

    Having high school students research their town, including the history and local issues, can help them see ways to contribute to their community.
    465
  • Developing a Robust Community Engagement Program

    A look at three key considerations in designing the most appropriate service program for your school.
    280
  • A Place-Based Approach to PBL

    A veteran teacher and author discusses how to bring fieldwork into your project-based learning curriculum.
    1.1k

Follow Edutopia

  • facebook icon
  • twitter icon
  • instagram icon
  • pinterest icon
  • youtube icon
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

George Lucas Educational Foundation

Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.
Edutopia® and Lucas Education Research™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of the George Lucas Educational Foundation in the U.S. and other countries.