Identifying And Removing Barriers To Accessibility In Environmental Education And Outdoor Recreation, Patricia Bonnin

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

There are numerous mental, physical, and socio-emotional health benefits to spending time outdoors, and this is especially true for people with disabilities. However, outdoor spaces such as park systems, nature centers, and other natural places are typically not accessible for people with disabilities. Research shows there are numerous barriers they encounter when trying to attend outdoor areas. The capstone project, titled Nature Adapted: Guidebook for evaluating and modifying current programs and practices to increase outdoor accessibility, was created to assist environmental education centers and outdoor recreation organizations in becoming more inclusive. It includes information sections, pre-assessements, reflections, and places to …

Environmental Education For Sustainability, Lucille Gertz

Educational Studies Dissertations

The climate is in crisis. Many conservation organizations identify in their mission statements the priority of motivating constituents to engage with conservation action. This priority is typically implemented by educators who design and deliver educational activities and materials. This study, designed to develop a professional pathway for environmental educators to develop programs designed to motivate adult audiences toward engagement with conservation action, addressed the question: How can environmental educators more effectively promote conservation behavior change in adult learning audiences? Three guiding research questions were: 1) To what extent are environmental educators familiar with and utilizing theoretical frameworks and research-based tools …

The Contextualization Of Socioscientific Issues In An Age Of Accountability, Karrie A. Wikman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The overarching aim of this research was to ultimately support global resiliency through science education, preparing citizens to laudably negotiate the contentious socio-cultural science- and technology-based issues of modern times. Correspondingly, this mixed methods study aimed to move a large, diverse school district toward school environments conducive to contextualized socioscientific issues (SSI)-based learning. Of interest to teachers, administrators, and policymakers, the research investigated the effects of subsuming standards-based objectives within the SSI instructional framework on science achievement. Analysis of variance of multilevel assessment and classroom observation protocol data revealed that students experiencing the SSI intervention showed statistically significant gains in …

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 Podcasts To Bring National Estuarine Research Reserves Into The Classroom For Grades 6-12, Kaitlyn M. Dirr

Senior Theses

In a typical classroom setting, there are significant challenges to exposing students to concepts related to earth sciences and the environment. These challenges are exacerbated when conveying lessons about geographic areas with limited access, such as oceans and coastlines (Louv, 2010). It is now more important than ever for environmental education to improve and adapt to our changing world. Educators may have the opportunity to bring these subjects to life by using media content such as podcasts to introduce students to new places and the scientists, managers and educators that work in those spaces. In the United States, there exists …

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 …

Confluence: Evaluating The Individual Learning Outcomes Of A Combined Citizen Science And Environmental Education Project, Evan A. Harms

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Citizen Science has moved beyond a methodological tool for ecologists to crowdsource data to a novel platform for environmental and informal science education. However, few studies document the individual learning outcomes of citizen science as an educational tool, particularly in youth or extension education. This quantitative study focused on evaluating the individual learning outcomes of an environmental education and citizen science non-formal learning experience about water quality.

In this study, an existing lesson plan using four sequenced activities was adapted for use with West Virginia 4-H summer camps in 2022. Potential outcome areas were first identified from foundational environmental education …

Environmental Educators’ Perceptions Of Inaugural Louisiana State Department Of Education Environmental Education Standards And Accompanying Environmental Education Endorsement Plan: A Multiple Case Study Approach, Abigail Greer

LSU Master's Theses

Increasing environmental literacy through environmental education is an integral approach to fighting many of the environmental challenges facing Louisiana. The State Department of Education in Louisiana has released two initiatives to increase environmental literacy in the state while incorporating nonformal environmental education into formalized k-12 education. The first initiative is a set of Key Principles and Concepts (KPCs) in environmental education, which is aimed at providing standards to nonformal environmental educators in Louisiana. The second initiative, the Louisiana Environmental Education Advancement Plan (LEEAP), accompanies the KPCs and provides an opportunity for nonformal environmental education organizations to achieve endorsement through partnership …

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

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 …

Moving Beyond Scientific Fact-Only Environmental Education In The United States, Erica Meier

All Theses

There is debate regarding whether environmental education (EE) programs should focus exclusively on teaching science or on teaching and encouraging pro-environmental behaviors through civic engagement, advocacy, and action/behavior change (CEAA) techniques. To assess which CEAA techniques EE providers feel are appropriate to utilize in EE programming for youth and the extent to which they utilize them, we designed and distributed a survey to members of several North American EE organizations. Based on the North American Association for Environmental Education’s Guidelines for Excellence (2019) and input from professionals and practitioners, the survey included a list of 32 CEAA techniques. Respondents (N …

Barriers Teaching Environmental Justice Education, Jodi Devonshire

Dissertations

The idea of freedom in education has its roots in the social justice movements of the 1950s and 60s. Civil rights groups coalesced independently of other marginalized groups and movements of its time. While similar in nature, environmentalism and civil rights issues rarely crossed paths. As environmentalism made its way into science education and curriculum, social justice issues were restricted to historical perspectives in education. This research initially sought to create an understanding of purpose driven, social justice conscious, Environmental Education as it is related to marginalized learners and identify the barriers of creating and implementing culturally relevant environmental education …

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

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

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

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 …

Raising An Indoor Generation: Outdoor Environmental Education Impact On Adolescent Development, Daisy Elizabeth Bewley

Student Theses 2015-Present

In an increasingly digital world, children are growing up with less involvement and interaction with the environment. Hands-on and experiential learning is less popular in schools and a more test-oriented and numerical evaluation is increasingly popular. This thesis explores the decrease in outdoor environmental education and the impact that has on adolescent development and developmental milestones in children. This impact extends past just mental development and impacts the physical health development of children. Obesity, attention deficit disorders, and other behavioral issues are just a few of the signs of the problems that have arisen due to a decrease in environmental …

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

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 …

Building Environmental Education Capacity In Classrooms And Schools, Linda Sue Thomas

The Dissertation in Practice at Western University

Abstract

There is growing global acknowledgement that our planet is facing an imminent environmental crisis (Kensler, 2012; Kensler & Uline, 2017). Issues such as climate change, loss of biodiversities, water quality, the impact of long term fossil fuel use and single use plastics are compelling countries around the world to calls for action. In the education sector, there is an increasing recognition that raising awareness of environmental issues needs to begin in the schools where students will learn about the impact of individual choices on our environment. Research has shown that environmental education programs in schools have a positive influence …

Evolving An Ecological Way Of Thinking: Social Interactions And The Construction Of Environmentally Sustainable Behaviors In Adolescents During Expeditionary Learning, Jennifer Fruend

Dissertations

The people around us - as well as the methodical progression of education through content - often shape our relationship to the world. Currently, Earth is at a crossroads, which requires humans to act and live more sustainably with an intentional environmental ethos, whether for literal survival or for slowing Earth’s resource degradation. Situated within the models of ecological contributors such as Aldo Leopold, transformational experiences, particularly when processed with self-reflection, writing, and social interaction, can change behaviors and priorities in individuals. Additionally, by recognizing the place of social learning components in expeditionary, informal, or adventure-based education settings, the potential …

Learner-Centered Nature Walks, Heather Van Der Grinten

Graduate Student Independent Studies

Learner-Centered Nature Walks details the research of Heather van der Grinten in supplementing Junior Ranger Walks with a learner-centered mindset. The approach was intended to reflect her personal growth as a museum educator, demonstrate the viability of the Bank Street praxis of progressive education in an environmental education setting, and highlight potential growth for future Junior Ranger lesson-planning. The methodology involved experimenting with lesson plans, keeping a detailed reflection journal, and asking for voluntary feedback from peers, supervisors, and participants from June to September 2018. The samples of student work as shown in Appendix A and B were …

The Field Trip Project: Using Environmental Education To Bridge Science Learning Across Formal And Informal Kindergarten Settings, Meg Gravil

Theses and Dissertations--Early Childhood, Special Education, and Counselor Education

The Field Trip Study was conducted in direct response to the emergence of scientific thinking as it relates to children’s cognitive abilities. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of nature-based, experiential activities on children’s acquisition of science knowledge. A multiple treatments and controls with pretest research design was utilized to compare science knowledge acquisition between kindergarten children in four instructional conditions: 1) nature-based field trip plus extension activities from an environmental education curriculum, and corresponding book reading and activities, 2) nature-based field trips plus extension activities from an environmental education curriculum, 3) nature-based field trips plus …

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

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 …

A Watershed Moment: Implementing State Environmental Literacy Policy Into A Central Virginia School District, Melinda J. Vandevelder

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

A WATERSHED MOMENT: IMPLEMENTING STATE ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY POLICY INTO A CENTRAL VIRGINIA SCHOOL DISTRICT

By Melinda J. VanDevelder, Ph.D.

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2018

Director: Charol Shakeshaft, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Educational Leadership

Policy goals may be impossible to achieve at the classroom level (Ravitch, 2014), as policy depends on those who implement it (Lipsky, 1980). The purpose of this research was to investigate how the voluntary environmental educational executive order, EO42, was implemented and executed in a Central Virginia …

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

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 …