What are self-directed learning strategies that empower learners and promote agency? This is a popular question among educators that have an interest in self-directed learning and know the benefits, but aren’t sure about how to go about incorporating self-directed learning strategies in their classroom or homeschool.
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 Are you a parent, teacher or student looking for some plant project science fair ideas that are easy and engaging for everyone involved?
It doesn't have to be hard, it doesn't have to take a ton of time, and no one has to be a professional scientist or even a trained science teacher to do these experiments. Check out some of the plant project science fair ideas here to make your lives a little easier. Build a plant science experiment or a research project around the ideas offered here while still making them your own!  Welcome to my experiential science blog series! This blog post marks the beginning of this series with fun end of year science activity ideas specifically around the theme of "Mad Science".
 A project-based learning portfolio is an excellent strategy for demonstrating and showcasing evidence of learning, especially when student-led.
Project portfolios are great for evaluating project based learning projects as single experiences as well as on a more grand, comprehensive level. For this reason, I love to start self-directed project-based learning project experiences with the end in mind. I implement and design PBL experiences around these portfolios. 
This time of year can get a little crazy, but the energy that leads up to this string of holidays and the impending break can be a good thing if channeled in the right way. I engage students in experiential holiday activities for the classroom that are fitting for the time of year.
Yes, this time of year can be a little chaotic, but it is also one of my favorite times of year in my high school classroom and home learning environment with my own children 
Project-based learning, especially when student-directed, is a compelling approach to learning. Students gain content knowledge, develop hard and soft skills, build character, and learn HOW to learn through the many phases of student-led PBL.
Students ultimately showcase evidence of these experiences and outcomes in a project-based learning portfolio. This blog post is about one project-based learning portfolio student example that reminds me of just how powerful student-led PBL can be. Let's take a look.  Experiential learning is awesome all of the time, but experiential fall learning activities are favorites.
Fall is unique in so many ways. The weather begins to change, wildlife prepares for winter, many farmers harvest their crops, seasonal illnesses begin to creep in (not my favorite), kids gear up for winter sports, fall flavors make a brief appearance, and the holiday season comes on strong.  What is self-directed learning and what does that look like in a classroom or homeschool?
This phrase, self-directed learning, and other variations of the phrase (child-led learning, student-directed learning, student-led learning, etc. etc. etc. ) imply that learning experiences are designed, coordinated, and led by students. Your students are self-directed learners, not passive receivers of information. Let's take a closer look. 
I have been an experiential science educator for almost 15 years. I have a background in field ecology but eventually left the career to teach high school science in an experiential classroom, which is where I’ve been for the bulk of my professional life. But what does that mean?
 This post offers 5 experiential science weather and climate activities for kids of all ages. My own children (6&9) and I worked through these activities this week, and those experiences are highlighted in this post along with some modification ideas for older students.
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Blog IntentTo provide innovative educational resources for educators, parents, and students, that go beyond lecture and worksheets. AuthorSara Segar, experiential life-science educator and advisor, curriculum writer, and mother of two. 
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