Why is the sky blue? Why are bluebells pink? Inquiry-Based Learning Outdoors

Worried about going outside and being asked questions you don’t know the answer to?

"Why is the sky blue?" Here’s some answers to this favorite question:  http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/blue-sky/en/

If you take the challenge and go outside to teach, you will certainly find you and your students have lots of questions: “What’s this bug?”  “What’s this plant?”  Why are the bluebells pink? If you don’t know the answer, take the opportunity to learn yourself. You can say,  “That’s a good question, I’d like to find out too”  and  “Let’s google that when we get back inside”.

So, why are Virginia Bluebells sometimes pink?  Check out details at http://www.sierrapotomac.org/W_Needham/VirginiaBluebells_060402.htm

Virginia Bluebells - Mertensia virginica

Here’s to the success and diversity of student-driven and inquiry-based learning outdoors! Any questions?