Combat “Summer Slide” and Screen Fatigue with Free Outdoor STEM Lessons

 (NAPSI)­—Here’s news about summer many families may find is not so hot: According to Dartmouth College, research shows some schoolchildren can lose approximately 20% of reading gains and 27% of math gains over the summer, with younger children and those transitioning from elementary to middle school most affected—but help for this “summer slide” may be at hand.

A Solution

The TurfMutt Foundation, which advocates for the care and use of backyards, public parks, schoolyards and other green spaces, reminds parents and guardians of its free educational resources designed to entice kids away from their screens and into the green space around them this summer. 

The TurfMutt Foundation offers downloadable activity guides, interactive lesson plans and outdoor exploration challenges tailored for children in grades K-8. These hands-on lessons are rooted in STEM standards and encourage kids to engage with the “outdoor learning labs” of their backyards and community parks. 

“Our lessons are designed to help kids see the world through the eyes of Mulligan the TurfMutt—where every backyard is a living laboratory to be explored,” explains Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation. Mulligan is a real-life rescue dog and “spokesdog” of the Foundation. “By following Mulligan’s lead into the green spaces around them, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while forming a lifelong connection with the environment.”

Families can watch a quick “Mulligan Minute” for inspiration before heading outside to start their own exploration. See the latest segments from CBS Lucky Dog at https://www.turfmutt.com/education/videos.   

What Kids Can Learn

The TurfMutt educational suite includes lessons on: 

• Environmental Superpowers: Understanding how green space produces oxygen, combats heat islands and traps carbon. 
• Bio-Mapping: Identifying and charting local flora and fauna to understand neighborhood diversity.
• Rain Gauging: Tracking rainfall patterns to understand drought and water conservation.
• Wildlife Support: Learning how backyard biodiversity helps ecosystems thrive and supports pollinators.
  
  

TurfMutt was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators, and families.

Learn More

To download TurfMutt’s free educational resources, and for more information, visit www.turfmutt.com. 

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 "“In the green spaces around them, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while forming a lifelong connection with the environment,” advises Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation. Mulligan is a real-life rescue dog"