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Career Influences Of Environmental Education Field Experiences, Lacey Day
Career Influences Of Environmental Education Field Experiences, Lacey Day
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
As an environmental educator who got her start exploring the various flora and fauna around me, it has always interested me to know whether the same experiences that got me to where I am today have also influenced others to pursue similar careers. This study, because of that initial interest, set out to determine How do environmental education field experiences influence college major and/or career choice in high school students? Through a 21 question, cross-sectional survey, high school students in Allegany County Public Schools were asked a series of questions pertaining to their environmental educational field experiences, their values and …
Using A Vermicomposting Curriculum To Grow Students’ Advocacy Towards The Environment, J. Ryan Cowger
Using A Vermicomposting Curriculum To Grow Students’ Advocacy Towards The Environment, J. Ryan Cowger
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
The use of food waste in a vermicomposting bin is a positive solution to the growing problem in the United States. Integrating a vermicomposting container into a classroom exposes students to the environment creatively, allowing them to explore the worm’s habitat in a controlled setting. Using a worm bin to explore how worms decompose organic food waste and observing the process of vermicomposting brings the natural world into a classroom environment. This is crucial when many people are distancing themselves from the natural world around them. This capstone project uses a variety of research to develop a curriculum that answers …
Experiencing An Old-Growth Forest: An Immersive Nature And Art Workshop For Environmental Educators, Valerie Ozaksut
Experiencing An Old-Growth Forest: An Immersive Nature And Art Workshop For Environmental Educators, Valerie Ozaksut
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
Environmental education seeks to develop an engaged and environmentally literate citizenry for a more equitable and sustainable future (NAAEE). Environmental art education is an interdisciplinary field which utilizes environmental education and art education practices. Addressing environmental issues through artmaking can expand learner understandings and emotional connections to the natural world, fostering environmental literacy. Exploring concepts from environmental education and art education, this capstone project uses the sense of wonder (Carson, 1956), the live creature (Dewey, 1934) and aesthetic empathy (Haskell, 2018) as a framework for study. This professional development workshop for environmental educators is designed to introduce environmental art education …
Renewable Energy Education At Residential Environmental Learning Centers, Kim Corson
Renewable Energy Education At Residential Environmental Learning Centers, Kim Corson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
This capstone project sought to answer the question, what are effective methods for teaching middle school students about renewable energy at residential environmental learning centers? Research shows that participation in a residential learning experience helps students retain knowledge and learn in a more hands-on and real world context. However, research connecting a residential environmental learning experience and renewable energy education is limited. This project involved creating a curriculum that utilizes effective methods for teaching and learning about renewable energy with the goal to help grow students energy and environmental literacy. The lesson targets middle school students but can be adapted …
Rewilding Students To Establish A Slow Pedagogy In Short Term Environmental Education Settings, Mason Keel
Rewilding Students To Establish A Slow Pedagogy In Short Term Environmental Education Settings, Mason Keel
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
of connecting individuals with nature: what does it mean for students to actually connect with nature? Many organizations strive to connect their users with nature using “fast pedagogy” that usually takes the form of adventurous outdoor activities, such as canoeing, rock climbing, and going through high ropes courses. However, these activities allow little time for users to dwell in their natural surroundings, preventing them from learning via “slow pedagogy,” which involves making novel observations about nature and connecting to their surroundings through these observations. The same issue rings true for residential environmental learning centers that host grade school students for …
Environmental Education Lessons Connecting Middle School Students To The Natural World, Kari Brant
Environmental Education Lessons Connecting Middle School Students To The Natural World, Kari Brant
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
Research has repeatedly indicated that exposure to nature and the outdoors has a range of physical, mental, emotional, social, and educational benefits. The research question that is addressed in the work of this capstone is: Which middle school environmental education lessons aligned with science standards enable students to connect with the natural world? In reviewing causes of lack of exposure to nature, the benefits that being outside can offer, and closely reviewing both Minnesota standards as well as environmental education goals, the aim of this capstone is to incorporate environmental education into middle school. The curriculum includes units of study …
Developmentally Appropriate Environmental Stem Curriculum For Kindergarten And First Grade Students, Mary Sweeney
Developmentally Appropriate Environmental Stem Curriculum For Kindergarten And First Grade Students, Mary Sweeney
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
The purpose of this capstone project was to create a developmentally appropriate environmental science, technology, engineering, and math (E-STEM) curriculum for kindergarten and first grade students. This capstone seeks to answer the question: What are qualities of developmentally appropriate environmental education curriculum for kindergarten and first grade students? The research explores physical, cognitive, and social and emotional growth, in addition to multiple intelligences. Developmentally appropriate kindergarten and first grade classrooms encourage play, choice stations, movement, utilizing all of the senses, and a nurturing environment. Best practices in Environmental education combine developmental needs of students, authentic experiences in the environment, and …
How Can A Local Government Implement Environmental Education For Immigrant Communities That Live In Apartment Buildings?, Kirsten Wahlberg
How Can A Local Government Implement Environmental Education For Immigrant Communities That Live In Apartment Buildings?, Kirsten Wahlberg
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This project addressed the research question: How can a local government implement environmental education for immigrant communities that live in apartment buildings? Six multifamily properties were recruited from three different cities from Hennepin County located in Minnesota to help overcome barriers towards recycling. The total amount of households, or units that participated were 535. Research methods included implementing best management practices including; color-coding trash and recycling containers and adding labels with images to all trash and recycling dumpsters. Educators also attempted to coordinate in-person education events including going door-to-door and a recycling informational presentation. Translators, or “influencers” were identified at …
Creating A Nature-Based Environmental Connection To At-Risk Ebd Students In A Self-Contained Classroom, Timothy L. Thayer
Creating A Nature-Based Environmental Connection To At-Risk Ebd Students In A Self-Contained Classroom, Timothy L. Thayer
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
Research has shown that most students in conventional classrooms lack exposure to the natural world in the midst of the complete school day. Looking more specifically at students who have Emotional Behavior Disorders and being in a self-contained classroom can prevent ideal opportunities for the therapeutic benefits of exposure to what the outside environment can provide. The driving focus for this project is creating a nature-based environmental connection to at-risk EBD students in a self-contained classroom. Relying on the influence of biophilic design, this project utilizes many aspects of how natural features can benefit the students both emotionally and educationally. …
A Two Year Education Plan To Support The Goals Of The Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, Gael Zembal
A Two Year Education Plan To Support The Goals Of The Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, Gael Zembal
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
In Minnesota, and nationally, the general public’s understanding of environmental topics is sub-optimal. Recent studies have also noted an alarming trend of children spending less time in nature, and suffering physical and mental impacts as a result. To help increase environmental literacy, and encourage people to get outside and protect nature, watershed districts (local government units in Minnesota) are making use of environmental education. The Nine Mile Creek Watershed District (NMCWD) is no exception, with a robust education team, and a diversity of programs and messaging about water and the environment. As a local unit of government, the NMCWD protects …
Effective Methods For Using Live Animals For Instruction In Environmental Education, Jenna Moon
Effective Methods For Using Live Animals For Instruction In Environmental Education, Jenna Moon
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
This capstone project explored the research question, what are the most effective methods for using live animals for instruction in environmental education? The author pinpointed recommendations for effective environmental education and live animal education through the literature review, which guided the construction of interpretive-style bird of prey programs for use at a residential environmental learning center. Digital slides and accompanying scripts were designed for three new programs, each one-hour in length: RaptorPHYSICS, RaptorCARE, and RaptorFORCE. The presence of a live bird of prey is intended to create an emotional connection and program content aims to empower audience members to display …
Inquiry-Based Professional Development: How Did The Activities In The Mississippi Rivers Institute Affect Participant Confidence In Teaching Environmental Education?, Sara Robertson
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
The research question addressed in this project was, how did the activities in the Mississippi Rivers Institute affect participant confidence in teaching environmental education? These areas were: (a) river and watershed inquiry; (b) use of science notebooks in the classroom; (c) forest inquiry; (d) macroinvertebrate inquiry; (e) geology inquiry; (f) engineering activities; and (g) an overall comfort-ability level with using inquiry in the classroom. It documents the creation of the Rivers Institute as an effective professional development opportunity for educators. The author reviews the literature available on the best practices in environmental education professional development and she describes the success …
The Relationship Between Frequent Field Trips To A Local Community Nature Center And Elementary Aged Youth's Positive Sense Of Place, Ashley Hansen
The Relationship Between Frequent Field Trips To A Local Community Nature Center And Elementary Aged Youth's Positive Sense Of Place, Ashley Hansen
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Sense of place is a concept that explains an individuals connection to a specific location. The goal of this capstone is to answer the research question, “Is there a relationship between a student’s repeated visits to a particular community nature center and a positive sense of place?” This is an important question to answer as literature supports the idea that individuals with a sense of place have pro-environmental behaviors as they have positive attitudes towards the environment and want to protect the place they have a deep bond with. Having a sense of place also meets the goals of environmental …
Elementary Educators Resource Guide To Herpetology In Minnesota Bridging The Gap Between The Classroom And Nature Center Experience, Anna Toenjes
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
The author of this project promotes elementary environmental education through hands-on herpetology games, activities, and additional resources. Engaging environmental education activities aim to improve student attitudes and perceptions of native reptiles and amphibians (herpetofauna). The content of the literature review describes how changing and improving student attitudes and perceptions of herpetofauna can foster understanding and development of empathy towards animals. Empathy towards animals can be generalized to human-directed empathy. The values of educating with live animals are described in detail. Inquiry, experiential, and hands-on teaching strategies to environmental education are implemented in the materials. Offering curriculum in which students interact …
Developing A Pollinator Activity Guide For Pre K-6 Formal And Non-Formal Educators, Alaiana A. Larkin
Developing A Pollinator Activity Guide For Pre K-6 Formal And Non-Formal Educators, Alaiana A. Larkin
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects
The research question addressed in this project was: how can I develop a pollinator activity guide for preK-6 formal and non-formal educators? I created and adapted various pollinator lessons and activities that are hands-on, place-based and engaging for early education and elementary students. They include imaginative play, interactive investigations and outdoor discoveries. These activities were designed to raise awareness and increase understanding of the importance, diversity and human connection to pollinators, including bees, wasps, flies, moths, butterflies, beetles and bats. As well, there is a focus on the diversity of native bumblebees and solitary bees in Minnesota. David Sobel and …
Building Capacity: How A Local Government Agency Can Support Partners In Offering Environmental Education For Youth, Alisa Reckinger
Building Capacity: How A Local Government Agency Can Support Partners In Offering Environmental Education For Youth, Alisa Reckinger
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
This project addressed the research question: what are the most effective strategies for a local government agency to support partner organizations in implementing environmental education for youth? Environmental education partners from a large county in Minnesota participated in group conversations to explore questions related to the definition of, benefits of, barriers to and strategies for environmental education. Additional research methods included a pre-questionnaire to learn more about the group conversation participants and an online survey to get broader participations and prioritize the goals, key elements, topics, benefits, barriers and strategies for environmental education. The project results were compared to information …
Utilizing The Next Generation Science Standards As A Framework To Create A Climate Change Curriculum, Jenna Totz
Utilizing The Next Generation Science Standards As A Framework To Create A Climate Change Curriculum, Jenna Totz
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The research question addressed in this project was, how can the Next Generation Science Standards be utilized as a framework to create a climate change curriculum? It documents the creation of the middle school climate change curriculum, Next Generation Climate. The curriculum integrates experiential education, argumentation, and modeling all using the most current climate change science. This curriculum was created out of the need for more resources that aligned with the NGSS and to provide educators with the tools to correctly provide climate literacy to their students. The author documents the details of writing the curriculum and uses research literature …
How Can The Relationship Between Climate Change And The Coast Redwood Forest Be Incorporated Into Fifth And Sixth Grade Environmental Education Programs?, Dorea Eve Martin
How Can The Relationship Between Climate Change And The Coast Redwood Forest Be Incorporated Into Fifth And Sixth Grade Environmental Education Programs?, Dorea Eve Martin
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
The question for this research is: how can the relationship between climate change and the coast redwood forest be incorporated into fifth and sixth grade environmental education programs? Climate change is a real, global problem, and this capstone is intended as a resource for environmental educators to incorporate climate change into their programs. It includes a literature review of scientific research on climate change impacts on coast redwood forests and presents a lesson plan for teaching climate change in the redwood setting. The lesson plan covers basic climate science, dendrochronology, and carbon footprints, and was conducted at Westminster Woods, a …
Using Toolkit Activities To Reduce Household Food Waste, Nancy Lo
Using Toolkit Activities To Reduce Household Food Waste, Nancy Lo
School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations
Food waste is a significant problem with environmental, economic, social and ethical consequences. Wasting food wastes energy, water, fuel, and land that go into producing, packaging, and transporting food. Additionally, the agriculture-related release of pesticides and greenhouse gases into the air, soil and water makes wasting food an environmental hazard. As much as 40 percent of U.S. food produced for human consumption, which is more than 20 pounds per person per month valued at $165 billion annually, goes uneaten. Worldwide, onethird of food is wasted while the population continues to grow. There are many reasons why Americans throw away food …