A Critical Ethnography of an Outdoor School

This volume examines the dynamics between science education and climate change politics in the U.S. through critical ethnographic research, highlighting community activism and policy shifts that support an outdoor school in Oregon.

A Critical Ethnography of an Outdoor School delves into the intricate dynamics between science education and climate change politics within the context of a residential outdoor school in the United States. Through critical ethnographic research, the author examines the various practices and policies that support this unique educational environment, highlighting the complexities of how science education interacts with broader political landscapes surrounding climate change.

The book combines empirical data gathered from fieldwork with theoretical insights from both the sciences and humanities. It showcases how community activism, political collaborations, and shifts in policy have played crucial roles in ensuring the sustainability of an outdoor school in Oregon. This case study serves as a springboard for a deeper exploration of the connections between science education, political engagement, and policy development, particularly in relation to climate change.

Ultimately, the author advocates for a reconstruction of science education that embraces epistemic and ontological pluralism. The work illustrates how critical ethnographic research can inspire a rethinking of educational curricula and the ways in which we engage with the world around us. This book is particularly valuable for researchers, academics, and educators in higher education who are interested in the philosophical foundations of science education, environmental issues, and educational policy, as well as those focused on critical ethnographic methodologies.