Nature Study Ideas For Teens

I have written several blog entries on including nature study in your high school plans. Each entry is meant to encourage your family to consider continuing with some natural science even in the teen years. Our family kept regular times to be outdoors together exploring and observing nature in our own backyard and neighborhood.

Mr. B's Nicaraguan butterfly

The tone of nature study changes during the teen years and as they find what interests them and develop that interest you can see how this is a life-long passion that will grow as they do. My grown children still surprise me with photos of things they see while on their own adventures...sharing things they know I will enjoy seeing. During Mr. B's recent trip to Nicaragua, he captured images of a butterfly and a bird for me...sharing them like souvenirs when he came home. 

Mr. A's New York snake

Mr. A sent me a photo of a snake from his New York hike. I don't know that I am anxious for them to share snakes with me but it is something he is interested in knowing more about. He has a completely different habitat to explore in New York and with all the experience we had here as he was going through his teens using the internet and field guides to identify things, I know he will be learning so much about the plants, animals, birds, and reptiles of his new area.

Click the links below to read a bit about our high school nature study experience:
Nature Study in the Teen Years -"Honestly, as my children are getting older, they are having to dig deeper to find something they are interested in learning about but the desire is still there. I am feeling the need to spend even more time with them outdoors as they reach their teen and teen+ years, stepping up the observations and learning."


Nature Study Is Not A Drill - "Gradually I have learned the value in allowing some leeway in the topics we learn more about because I can see the growth in my sons' love for and connection to the world they live in. I hear their appreciation for the complex system of life that was created for us to enjoy and benefit from."

 
I also have written a printable guide showing the steps to advancing nature study as your children mature.
Nature Study - 3 Steps to a Better Experience

Perhaps you need some help getting started, you can try winter nature study with your teen using the More Nature Study Book #2 Winter Wonder ebook a try.

If you have any questions about getting started with nature study with your teens or help with some of the issues that come during nature study with teens, please feel free to comment or email me anytime.