Overview

Muddy Sneakers provides outdoor science education for 5th-graders in North Carolina by using local protected lands as outdoor classrooms where students explore science concepts through hands-on, inquiry-based activities linked to state standards. Its programs include year-long partnerships, field trips, outreach, and teacher coaching, with options for remote learning and a classroom curriculum of over 90 lesson plans. The nonprofit is funded by grants, corporate sponsorships, and donations, and has invested more than $6.9 million in NC public schools since 2007. The organization aims to boost science literacy and environmental stewardship by giving students frequent, tangible opportunities to connect with nature and apply learning across subjects.