Time Out! How Much Time Do Kids Spend Outdoors?
Some scientists believe that spending any amount of time outdoors is good for kids, and certain activities may provide more benefits than others. Studies have shown that outdoor physical activities are especially important for kids trying to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. The scientists in this study wanted to know how the amount of time spent outdoors varies among kids from different demographic groups. They hoped this study would help other scientists and recreation managers.
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In this FACTivity, you will act as social scientists and conduct a survey with other students in your class to determine information about each other’s time spent outdoors.FACTivity – Time Out: Survey
In this FACTivity, you will act as social scientists and conduct a survey with other students in your class to determine information about each other’s time spent outdoors. -
In this FACTivity, you will complete a scavenger hunt by using a compass to locate hidden objects. This activity includes a basic introduction on how to use a compass to...FACTivity – Time Out: Compass
In this FACTivity, you will complete a scavenger hunt by using a compass to locate hidden objects. This activity includes a basic introduction on how to use a compass to... -
Look at the following pictures and see if you can determine what benefits the kids might be gaining from these outdoor activities.eyeChallenge – Time Out
Look at the following pictures and see if you can determine what benefits the kids might be gaining from these outdoor activities. -
Unscramble the words to create a sentence from this monograph!Word Scramble – Time Out
Unscramble the words to create a sentence from this monograph!
Glossary
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Ken Cordell
“I like my work and working for the Forest Service very much. My work as a scientist involves studying how people relate to the natural world and what they like...View Profile -
Gary Green
“One favorite science experience was playing with a chemistry set and accidentally blowing up a test tube when I was eight. I learned a lot from that experience!” “Another favorite...View Profile -
Lincoln Larson
My favorite science experiences involve traveling to cool places and learning new things. My work has taken me around the world to places like Alaska, Africa, and the Amazon. I’m...View Profile
Standards addressed in this Article:
Social Studies Standards
- People, Places, and Environments
- Science, Technology, and Society
- Time, Continuity, and Change
Note To Educators
The Forest Service's Mission
The Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more than 100 years, our motto has been “caring for the land and serving people.” The Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recognizes its responsibility to be engaged in efforts to connect youth to nature and to promote the development of science-based conservation education programs and materials nationwide.
What Is the Natural Inquirer?
Natural Inquirer is a science education resource journal to be used by students in grade 6 and up. Natural Inquirer contains articles describing environmental and natural resource research conducted by Forest Service scientists and their cooperators. These scientific journal articles have been reformatted to meet the needs of middle school students. The articles are easy to understand, are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, contain glossaries, and include hands-on activities. The goal of Natural Inquirer is to stimulate critical reading and thinking about scientific inquiry and investigation while teaching about ecology, the natural environment, and natural resources.
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Meet the Scientists
Introduces students to the scientists who did the research. This section may be used in a discussion about careers in science.
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What Kinds of Scientist Did This Research?
Introduces students to the scientific disciplines of the scientists who conducted the research.
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Thinking About Science
Introduces something new about the scientific process, such as a scientific habit of mind or procedures used in scientific studies.
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Thinking About the Environment
Introduces the environmental topic being addressed in the research.
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Introduction
Introduces the problem or question that the research addresses.
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Method
Describes the method the scientists used to collect and analyze their data.
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Findings & Discussion
Describes the results of the analysis. Addresses the findings and places them into the context of the original problem or question.
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Reflection Section
Presents questions aimed at stimulating critical thinking about what has been read or predicting what might be presented in the next section. These questions are placed at the end of each of the main article sections.
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Number Crunches
Presents an easy math problem related to the research.
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Glossary
Defines potentially new scientific or other terms to students. The first occurrence of a glossary word is bold in the text.
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Citation
Gives the original article citation with an internet link to the original article.
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FACTivity
Presents a hands-on activity that emphasizes something presented in the article.
Science Education Standards
You will find a listing of education standards which are addressed by each article at the back of each publication and on our website.
We Welcome Feedback
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Contact
Jessica Nickelsen
Director, Natural Inquirer program -
Email
Lessons
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In this lesson, students will increase their reading comprehension and summarization and explanation skills. Students will work in groups to share information about the Natural Inquirer article and assist with...Lesson Plan – Summary Statements
In this lesson, students will increase their reading comprehension and summarization and explanation skills. Students will work in groups to share information about the Natural Inquirer article and assist with...