Amid the rise of digital distractions, over 200 Arizona teachers are encouraging students to reconnect with nature through the Step Outside program. Jessica Early, a professor of English at Arizona State University, and the Central Arizona Writing Project played a pivotal role in this initiative. The program, funded by a state grant, provided educators with resources and support to integrate outdoor learning into their curricula. Early's contributions, especially in training teachers to use nature journaling, have highlighted the importance of writing and observation skills in outdoor education, ultimately benefiting over 11,000 students.
