Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to apply math, physical education, and science concepts while exploring the outdoors through hiking.

Materials and Prep

• Comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for hiking
• Water bottle
• Snacks
• Hiking trail map (if available)

Before starting the lesson, make sure you have a basic understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Activities

1. Measure the distance:

   Choose a hiking trail and use a measuring tape or a pedometer to measure the distance you will be hiking. Estimate how many steps it will take to complete the trail and compare it with the actual number of steps.

2. Calculate hiking time:

   Based on your average walking speed, estimate how long it will take to complete the hike. Use a stopwatch or a timer to measure the actual time taken. Compare your estimate with the actual time.

3. Identify plant and animal species:

   While hiking, observe and identify different plant and animal species you encounter. Take pictures or draw sketches of them and later research their names and characteristics.

4. Record elevation changes:

   During the hike, use a simple handheld altimeter or a smartphone app to record the elevation changes along the trail. Note the highest and lowest points and calculate the total elevation gain and loss.

5. Estimate calorie burn:

   Research the average number of calories burned per hour while hiking. Estimate how many calories you will burn during the hike based on its duration. Keep track of your activity level and compare it with the estimated calorie burn.

Talking Points

• Math: When measuring the distance of the hiking trail, we use units like feet, meters, or miles. It's important to estimate and compare our estimations with the actual measurements to improve our accuracy.

• Physical Education: Hiking is a great way to stay active and improve our cardiovascular fitness. By estimating and comparing our hiking time, we can understand our walking speed and set goals for future hikes.

• Science: Hiking provides an opportunity to observe and learn about different plant and animal species. By identifying and researching them, we can expand our knowledge of the natural world.

• Math: Elevation changes during a hike can be recorded and calculated using an altimeter. Understanding elevation gain and loss helps us analyze the difficulty level of a trail and plan future hikes accordingly.

• Physical Education: Estimating calorie burn during a hike helps us understand the energy expended and the benefits of outdoor activities. It also encourages us to maintain an active lifestyle.