The National Park Classroom: A Guide to Designing Project-Based Learning Adventures

New Release!

This book introduces the National Park Classroom (NPC) Framework, which enables teachers of all subject areas and grade levels to take advantage of national park resources and educational practices.

These lessons are anchored in the ISTE Standards and incorporate content standards such as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS).

This book for elementary and secondary educators shows classroom teachers how they can use a vast array of national park resources to address common instructional challenges and boost student engagement and retention, integrate equity, improve college and career readiness, and more.

This resource book for educators: 

• Highlights resources available to teachers and their students through the U.S. National Park System and other public land agencies across the globe.
• Provides insights and tools for leading high-quality project-based learning.
• Offers guidance for transitioning from a teacher-centered classroom to a learner-centered classroom.
• Shows how to apply successful equity and inclusion practices from the national parks in classrooms and schools.
• Provides examples of “place-conscious learning,” with strategies for connecting students to distant parks and other places.

With strategies backed by research and reflecting best practices from proven learning models, this book shows educators how to integrate the great outdoors and park-inspired learning into their classrooms to drive student engagement and agency, and better prepare students for college and beyond.

About the Author

James Fester has worked in public, private and online schools as a teacher, instructional coach, technologist and curriculum specialist. In addition to serving as a member of PBLWorks’ national faculty, Fester served as a facilitator for the National Park Service Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program. He’s also a facilitator for the United Nations through UNESCO-MGIEP, a National Geographic Certified Teacher and grantee, and a public lands volunteer and advocate who has collaborated with state and national parks across the country to strengthen their educational offerings.