Interdisciplinary Outdoor Education: Participants’ Experiences in a Science Camp

Yusuf Yıldırım; Hüseyin Çalışkan; Turgay Öntaş

doi:10.19126/suje.1633939

Interdisciplinary Outdoor Education: Participants’ Experiences in a Science Camp

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine participant experiences regarding interdisciplinary outdoor education applications within the scope of a science camp project. Designed as a qualitative case study, the research involved 64 participants, including 30 students, 22 parents, and 12 project team members. Data were collected through open-ended questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and student diaries, and analyzed using descriptive analysis. The findings revealed that the outdoor science camp significantly enhanced students’ understanding and perception of science by encouraging curiosity, active engagement, and the ability to view science as an interdisciplinary and real-life process. Students’ conceptualizations evolved from abstract and technical terms to more reflective and integrated ideas, as evidenced by their use of scientific imagery in drawings, including tools, natural elements, and representations from various scientific disciplines. The camp environment promoted emotional awareness, cognitive development, and key skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving through enjoyable and hands-on learning experiences. Students frequently associated science with nature and demonstrated increased environmental sensitivity. They also reported high levels of satisfaction from engaging in collaborative, play-based, and discovery-oriented learning activities. Furthermore, feedback from instructors and counsellors emphasized the program’s effectiveness in fostering student growth and professional learning for educators. The program was noted for offering authentic learning experiences and supporting interdisciplinary thinking. However, some challenges were identified, including the intensity of the activity schedule, weather conditions, and the need to address diverse student backgrounds and learning needs. Overall, the science camp provided a meaningful, engaging, and multidimensional learning experience that enriched participants’ views of science and its role in everyday life.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey

Project Number

122B667

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the Sakarya University Ethics Committee. Informed consent forms were collected from all participants. (Evrak Tarih ve Sayısı: 14.02.2022-105365)

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Out-of-School Learning , Science Education , Social Studies Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Yusuf Yıldırım ^*
0000-0003-0035-8443
Türkiye

Hüseyin Çalışkan
0000-0001-6849-1318
Türkiye

Turgay Öntaş
0000-0003-2258-0862
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

December 9, 2025

Publication Date

December 25, 2025

Submission Date

February 6, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 11, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 1970 Volume: 15 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.1633939

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA64CP69KZ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Yıldırım, Y., Çalışkan, H., & Öntaş, T. (2025). Interdisciplinary Outdoor Education: Participants’ Experiences in a Science Camp. Sakarya University Journal of Education, 15(3), 271-293. https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.1633939

AMA

1.Yıldırım Y, Çalışkan H, Öntaş T. Interdisciplinary Outdoor Education: Participants’ Experiences in a Science Camp. SUJE. 2025;15(3):271-293. doi:10.19126/suje.1633939

Chicago

Yıldırım, Yusuf, Hüseyin Çalışkan, and Turgay Öntaş. 2025. “Interdisciplinary Outdoor Education: Participants’ Experiences in a Science Camp”. Sakarya University Journal of Education 15 (3): 271-93. https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.1633939.

EndNote

Yıldırım Y, Çalışkan H, Öntaş T (December 1, 2025) Interdisciplinary Outdoor Education: Participants’ Experiences in a Science Camp. Sakarya University Journal of Education 15 3 271–293.

IEEE

[1]Y. Yıldırım, H. Çalışkan, and T. Öntaş, “Interdisciplinary Outdoor Education: Participants’ Experiences in a Science Camp”, SUJE, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 271–293, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.19126/suje.1633939.

ISNAD

Yıldırım, Yusuf - Çalışkan, Hüseyin - Öntaş, Turgay. “Interdisciplinary Outdoor Education: Participants’ Experiences in a Science Camp”. Sakarya University Journal of Education 15/3 (December 1, 2025): 271-293. https://doi.org/10.19126/suje.1633939.

JAMA

1.Yıldırım Y, Çalışkan H, Öntaş T. Interdisciplinary Outdoor Education: Participants’ Experiences in a Science Camp. SUJE. 2025;15:271–293.

MLA

Yıldırım, Yusuf, et al. “Interdisciplinary Outdoor Education: Participants’ Experiences in a Science Camp”. Sakarya University Journal of Education, vol. 15, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 271-93, doi:10.19126/suje.1633939.

Vancouver

1.Yusuf Yıldırım, Hüseyin Çalışkan, Turgay Öntaş. Interdisciplinary Outdoor Education: Participants’ Experiences in a Science Camp. SUJE. 2025 Dec. 1;15(3):271-93. doi:10.19126/suje.1633939