Outside Learning Eric Nelson’s Wilderness Biology class at Bishop Seabury takes distance learning in a new direction. photos by Eric Nelson
Many families in Lawrence are tired of the term “distance learning.” For most, distance means hour after hour of a kid sitting at a desk, staring at an iPad or laptop, listening to their teacher talk. Things are a bit different in Eric Nelson’s Wilderness Biology class. “Now, more than ever, I think kids are drawn toward outdoor activity,” explained Bishop Seabury Academy science teacher Eric Nelson. “Kids have been stuck inside and this class gives them the opportunity to get outside and go.” Nelson’s class aims to get students out the classroom (or house) and into the wilderness. This semester, kids have spent early morning fishing the Kansas River, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking, fly-fishing, practicing archery, and planning a hiking trip to the Flint Hills. “Traditionally this is a junior- and senior-level class,” Nelson said. “But this year the interest was so high that we’ve limited it to seniors and the class is full and the kids all seem to be enjoying the class.” While students do study aspects of biology with a textbook, Nelson said learning is best done with a hands-on approach, whether that’s with your fingers in a catfish’s mouth or caring for the Cornish chickens the class is raising. “A lot of these students aren’t ‘outdoorsy’ by nature,” Nelson said. “While others are, I’m certain, destined to become backcountry guides. Regardless of their experience, I think all the kids gain some more confidence and maybe learn a new skill or two.” Many of the kids have already taken lessons learned in the class and implemented them by planning their own overnight canoe trip. “We have a lot of things planned for the rest of the semester, too,” Nelson said. “We may dress a deer, explore some of the wildlife areas at Clinton Lake, and hopefully use our backpacking lessons on a mutli-day hiking trip through the Flint Hills.” LK
