Tag: lab notes

November 2025 Lab Notes

November 2025 Lab Notes

Posted on by Colleen Levine

In this month’s issue of Lab Notes:

students paddle the pontoon at the Outdoor Lab

Seasons at the Lab:

As fall becomes early winter, the 5th grade overnights are winding down. The last one of fall will be right before Thanksgiving break. Following the holiday, seventh graders will be the primary student visitors during the winter months as they focus on ecology.

Hands on science is the foundation of the educational experience at the Lab. This year, some lessons focus on identifying invasive species, primarily the spotted lanternfly and tree of heaven. In addition to working with students to observe the effects of lantern flies in real time, Lab staff will soon implement geographic information system (GIS) technology to track evidence of them on the property. Classroom teachers will have access to the GIS information and be able to use it in the classroom to extend student knowledge of invasive species.

  • Summer Camp 2026: Initial planning for Outdoor Lab Summer Camp 2026 is beginning. In response to shifting family preferences, we anticipate having two weeks for middle schoolers and one week for fourth and fifth graders. Watch for registration information early in 2026.
  • Fall Fun at the Lab: Thanks to everyone who joined us for a perfect fall day at the Open House. It was terrific to see so many students showing their parents and siblings all their favorite things at the Lab – snake pit, waterwheel, Animal Lab, bone yard and hiking trails were all popular. A big shout-out to our Open House volunteers: Carol Goodloe, Brady Kennedy, Jeff and Angus Williams, John Stewart, Caitlin Wittig, and Alexis, Karen, Sara & Brownie Troop 60335!

  • Help Shape the Future of the Outdoor Lab!  As we move towards creating new learning facilities at the Outdoor Lab, we are forming an Environmental Education Advisory Committee to help review our current practices and inform our decisions moving forward. If you are an Outdoor Lab alum working in science or current or former educator, we would love to have you join us!

    To learn more, please contact vp@outdoorlab.org or fill out our Volunteer Interest Form

  • And more… Read the full issue here: November 2025 Lab Notes newsletter    &    Click here to Subscribe! 

September 2025 Lab Notes

Posted on by Colleen Levine

Back-to-School at the Outdoor Lab! In this month’s issue of Lab Notes:

students paddle the pontoon at the Outdoor Lab

  • School Year Kick-Off: We’re so excited that APS students are back at the Lab. Field trips started earlier this month and fifth grade overnights will begin in early October. In alignment with Virginia science education standards, Lab lesson plans are honed by Lab staff and classroom teachers together.
    • 3rd graders learn how seasonal changes affect both terrestrial and aquatic creatures as they examine habitats
    • 5th graders focus on geological features while hiking
    • 7th graders work on animal classifications, ecology and mapping while exploring the acreage
    • High schoolers map the terrain, test the water quality and participate in ecology “deep dives”
  • Fall Open House Sun. Oct. 19:
    Join us for our fall Open House on Sunday, October 19th from 10am – 2pm. Registration link will be posted soon! Bring your friends and family to hike, fish and eat s’mores. We also welcome volunteers to help show families around — please signup here if you can spare a few hours: Open House Volunteer Form.

  • Help Shape the Future of the Outdoor Lab!  As we move towards creating new learning facilities at the Outdoor Lab, we are forming an Environmental Education Advisory Committee to help review our current practices and inform our decisions moving forward. If you are an Outdoor Lab alum working in science or current or former educator, we would love to have you join us!

    To learn more, please contact vp@outdoorlab.org or fill out our Volunteer Interest Form

    Also…

  • Thank you to all who visited us at the Arlington County Fair and shared your memories of the Lab! We will share the stories collected in future issues of Lab Notes.
  • Legacy Planning: As you plan for your future, we hope that you will consider a gift in your estate plan to support of Arlington Outdoor Education Association. You can make a bequest in your will and/or make AOEA the beneficiary of your IRA or life insurance policy. For more information, please contact Colleen Levine at vp@outdoorlab.org.

Read it here: September 2025 Lab Notes newsletter

& Click here to Subscribe! 

July 2025 Lab Notes

Posted on by Colleen Levine

In this month’s issue of Lab Notes:

summer campers and Smoky Bear at the Outdoor Lab

  • School Year 2024-25 Wrap Up from Director Scott McKeown
  • Summer Camp 2025: The Outdoor Lab, in partnership with Arlington Public Schools’ summer school programs, hosted three weeks of awesomely fun summer camp! Over 75 elementary and middle school campers participated.If you have pictures to share of your students’ time at the Lab, please send them to memories@outdoorlab.org or tag #lovetheODL on social media.

    Also…

  • Thanks for Brandon King, Eagle Scout for the expanded cookout area!
  • & Come see us at the Arlington County Fair indoor exhibit hall, Friday, Aug. 15 – Sunday, Aug. 17.

Read it here: July 2025 Lab Notes newsletter

& Click here to Subscribe! 

May 2025 Lab Notes

Posted on by Colleen Levine

In this month’s issue of Lab Notes:

  • School Year Wrapping Up at the Lab: It’s hard to believe another school year is almost over! Scott McKeown, APS Lab Supervisor, commented, “It never gets old — seeing the joy and wonder on kids’ faces as they spend time here.” School year field trips to the Lab are winding down now with the final three fifth-grade overnight trips this month. Day trips will continue through early June, and then Lab staff turn their attention to planning for the three weeks of summer camp in late June and July. We are excited to welcome this year’s summer campers!

    If you have pictures to share of your students’ time at the Lab, please send them to memories@outdoorlab.org or tag #lovetheODL on social media.

    Also…

  • 85-Acre Land Acquisition
  • Welcome New Board Members and Officers
  • Honoring Retiring Board Members: Paul Diehl, Mike Maleski, Anita Knipling Scott, and our outgoing student board members Cassidy Greenwalt YHS’25 and Margaret Flannery-Goodman YHS ’25.

Read it here: May 2025 Lab Notes newsletter

& Click here to Subscribe! 

March 2025 Lab Notes

Posted on by Colleen Levine

In this month’s issue of Lab Notes:

  • Spring Open House & Annual Meeting will be Sunday, May 4
  • Good News for the Outdoor Lab in APS proposed FY26 Budget
  • Applications for Student Board Member due March 31; Teens also needed for Summer Camp Counselor-in-Training
  • “I was in 4th or 5th grade and my group was walking up the Martin Trail and we came across an eastern rat snake and then there was a quick impromptu lesson about snakes and eastern rat snakes specifically. It was just a really cool opportunity made possible by the environment that we were in and the staff that were there leading us through it.”
    … and more Memories from the Lab!

high school volunteers at the animal lab

Read it here: March 2025 Lab Notes newsletter

& Click here to Subscribe!