In the midst of the Covid pandemic, four students experience the magic of spending more time outside at their inner city public elementary school in Gatineau, Quebec.
TAKE IT OUTSIDE is a documentary with intimate access to four students through the 2021-22 school year – a unique year teaching us important lessons about how education can adapt to children’s evolving needs. As they navigate their personal challenges, it becomes clear that the more time they spend outside at school – be it during recess, an outdoor math game, a skateboard lesson or a field trip – the better prepared they are to handle what life throws at them.
WATCH THE TRAILER:
“Moving, provocative, and powerful, ‘Take it Outside’ makes the case for a better future for education, one that promotes cognitive abilities and creativity, reduces the growing loneliness of our species, and promotes the most important element of environmental progress — the child’s love for the natural world.”
The mental health crisis among children has never been more dire and education systems are beyond strained. Luckily, the global outdoor learning movement is proving to be one of the most promising solutions to help students get back on track.
Study after study has highlighted the benefits of outdoor learning, such as higher grades, improved mental health, more self-confidence, boosted brain development and a stronger connection to nature.
So why is it so hard to do? Because systemic change takes time and it requires resilience and creativity.
TAKE IT OUTSIDE gives an example of the growing global outdoor learning movement and shines a light on the challenges, rewards and importance of looking beyond the four walls of the classroom. Isla, Jayce, Tobi and Mason’s stories and complex situations make the case that creating incremental but daring changes actually meets children where they are, rather than where we adults want them to be.
“You take the walls away and the kids don’t bounce off them anymore.”
FEATURING:
“Play in nature allows children to project forward into how they want to be in the world.”
IMPACT CAMPAIGN:
Through our strategic approach to distribution and community engagement, TAKE IT OUTSIDE will reach a national and international audience. Our goal is to further the outdoor learning movement from the bottom up and the top down, so schools can best meet their students’ emotional needs and leave no children behind. Here’s how we plan to do it:
Film festival screenings to build awareness
Partnerships with influencers and stakeholders in the areas of education and outdoor learning
Screenings and discussions at universities and conferences
Community screenings at schools to prompt discussion
Educational and discussion materials to facilitate important conversations
National television broadcast on PBS, CBC or TVO
Digital release on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play
BRING THE FILM TO YOUR COMMUNITY:
We invite you to fill out the form below to introduce yourself and share a bit about your interest in the film.
“No one actually gets sent from the outdoors back to the principal’s office.”
