So, why nature journaling? Using a journal is a skill that can change students’ lives forever in many ways. Perhaps as science educators, we wish to select exercises and activities which will hone students’ abilities to become scientists. Hopefully, as one reads this, you already realize that every person, every student, is a scientist and uses science practices every day. We do not need to convince our students to become scientists, we need to convince them that they already are with the hope that they become no longer intimidated by science. The practices that are taught in the science classroom are interdisciplinary, such as arguing from evidence, asking questions, analyzing data, and interpreting models, just to name a few. All of these practices and many more stem from one skill: making observations.
Nature journaling can deepen observations, as it can include words, pictures and numbers. The combination of these can lead the student to think in many different ways and make a more complete record of what they see.
Writing, Drawing and Using Numbers in Nature Journaling
When we write, it strengthens our thoughts because they must be organized enough to write on paper. If we are to describe something, it forms a stronger memory. There is much research to support that physically writing something helps us to remember it better than even typing on a computer or saying it aloud.1
When we draw, we are forced to observe something closer than ever before to capture every structure, shape, and contour we see. We must look again, and again at the specimen’s parts that are familiar to us, leading us to notice those details which differentiate one species from another.2
When we use numbers, it transforms our observations and helps us to recognize patterns that are in nature and can be architecturally exact, a true marvel of nature’s tendencies. Recognizing these patterns, such as the number of spirals on a pine cone, can lead us to ask questions we never would have before.
Combining these three disciplines on one page makes for a richer learning experience and forms lasting memories and gives structure to the inquiry process. Furthermore, nature journaling makes the science practices accessible to all students as every student can have access to the same experience, yet process it in a different way. The use of a nature journal has long been a valuable, authentic tool and helps students to understand the scientific process and to acknowledge themselves as scientists.
What Makes a “Good” Observation?
“The essence of science is validation by observation.”3 This statement proves true to science investigations and results. For example, when scientists are presenting findings, the biggest question is, How do you know? or What is your evidence? In these instances, we are mostly referring to observations that are quantitative, such as including measurements or other numerical results. Here, it is true that there is validity contained in numbers, especially when it requires taking multiple measurements of some sort. It would also seem by this description that observations are what concludes an investigation and gives it credibility. However, observations also exist elsewhere in the scientific process and occur frequently throughout an investigation. Although there is no true sequential scientific method, there are certain features of science that give it a distinctive character as a mode of inquiry.4 Therefore, many places exist throughout an investigation for both quantitave and qualitative observations. While an observation can be quantitative and provide validity for a claim, it can also be the driving force to an investigation.
This can be seen in the journaling routine that will be described in the first learning activity. By noticing, we are using our senses, proving mindfulness in our environment. By wondering, we are using our observation to begin the inquiry process. By figuring out what it reminds of us, we are making connections and utilizing our previous knowledge. I will argue that there are no “bad” observations, but there are different levels of quality for observations which can either provide validity to our investigation or be the driving force for inquiry. A simple observation in nature may be “The tree has no leaves.” This still proves awareness in one’s environment, and is important as an entry step to inquiry and investigations.
Conserving and Connecting With Nature
Nature, as we exist in it, has transformed to include streets, buildings, bridges, etc. We often separate ‘nature’ from these components because we perceive it is as unnatural. But, in most if not all locations, biotic and abiotic components must coexist even if they do not have the most mutualistic relationship. It is often an argument that if we can immerse students in an experience which includes the typical definition of nature, for example, hiking through a forest, they will see that it is worth conserving. However, I believe that a student must recognize that their own neighborhood is still nature, that conserving the forest and the sea is not our only objective. Rachel Carson proclaims in her essay “Sense of Wonder” that “Even if you are a city dweller, you can find some place, perhaps a park or a golf course, where you can observe the mysterious migrations of the birds and the changing seasons.”5 We must take action in the small world around us as well. Nature journaling can help students to recognize beauty in their immediate surroundings, further advancing the conservation mindset we all must have if we are to move forward in protecting this world from our current climate crisis.
Practicing Mindfulness
Ask any teacher in today’s classroom environment what the largest distraction from learning is and they will most likely agree that it is the use of mobile devices. While these enable us to make invaluable connections that would otherwise be too distant, they do not help us to connect with our immediate surroundings. In fact, the numerous options we have to keep our minds occupied can be somewhat overwhelming, leaving our immediate surroundings as a backdrop.
Nature Journaling offers a way to remain present in the moment. We are forced to slow down to focus on observation, to weave our thoughts into writing and drawing. Each subject used for a journal entry becomes engraved in memory as multiple senses are used to experience that moment and that subject. In this way, a tree in your backyard is now an individual you spent much time with, not just something you walk by every day. The tree, or any other subject, is now seen in a new light. It is now seen as an invitation to slow down and be present in this moment. Each moment is unique, it has never existed before, and its exact occurrence will never exist again.
