Name that plant! Overcoming plant blindness and developing a sense of place using science and environmental education

Plants are often overlooked or ignored entirely in K-12 classrooms. This chapter provides background information about the idea of plant blindness, which attempts to explain why botanical education is neglected, and why we humans have so much trouble seeing plants. We suggest that plants can be an integral part of life science education, and that giving teachers and students the chance to learn about and explore plant life in their communities will enhance their environmental awareness and sense of place. To this end, we make a case for giving teachers and students the skills they need to learn about the plants around them, including scientific nomenclature, evolution, and ecology. Included in the chapter are ideas for how to use nature-based outdoor experiences to teach about the environment, with an emphasis on National Science Education Standards and Environmental Education goals.