In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Lea Ann Christenson and Jenny James, coauthors of Dig In: Outdoor STEM Learning for Young Children. Together, they make the case that outdoor education isn't a luxury—it's a necessity.

Lea Ann and Jenny share how nature-based learning supports whole-child development, fosters deeper engagement, and offers rich, differentiated opportunities for every type of learner. Drawing on their own experiences as an early childhood professor and a preschool director, they describe the inspiration behind their book, the research that grounds it, and the practical steps educators can take to create vibrant outdoor classrooms.

You’ll hear how their journey—from pandemic-era innovation to a fully developed outdoor curriculum—has transformed how they think about teaching and learning. Along the way, they challenge the traditional view of what school “should” look like and offer a compelling vision for how nature-rich environments nurture curiosity, problem-solving, and joy.