Outdoor Education Should Become Part of the Curriculum, Taiwan Study Says

Outdoor education should mean more than taking students outside the school for an occasional visit. Taiwan’s National Academy for Educational Research says museums, natural areas and communities should become genuine classrooms through regular curriculum planning.

A study published in the academy’s August 2026 electronic newsletter found that cooperation between schools and outdoor education sites remains limited. Schools and sites face difficulties matching educational goals, as well as shortages of professional staff and funding.

The research proposes three models: sites can lead by adapting established programs to curriculum needs, schools can lead by finding suitable locations for their own courses, or both sides can jointly set goals, combine resources and design lessons. It also classifies site-based services into guided visits, hands-on activities, curriculum-linked programs, customized services and course collaboration.

The study’s author, Huang Mao-tsai, said learning in real environments can strengthen students’ understanding of science, motivation and problem-solving skills. It can also help develop a sense of place, awareness of sustainable development and environmental consciousness. The research notes that effective programs require resource mapping, lesson design, safety assessment and evaluation, making cooperation between teachers and site specialists important.

Outdoor education entered Taiwan’s National Education Act in 2023. The study recommends policy support and funding tailored to different sites so outdoor learning can become a regular part of education and give teachers access to specialized support.