Background

NAAEE is partnering with Stanford University and other respected organizations to demonstrate the impact and value of environmental education by substantiating powerful anecdotes from across the field with empirical evidence. We are conducting comprehensive literature reviews that demonstrate the impact of EE on key outcome areas and developing communication tools based on these reviews for the field, and our first outcome area is finished! Find out more about what the literature says broadly regarding the benefits of EE for K-12 students, and download the communication tools to share these findings or support your work. 

The Literature Review

Experts at Stanford University systematically searched the academic literature and analyzed 119 peer-reviewed studies published over a 20-year period that measured the impacts of environmental education for K-12 students. The review found clear evidence that environmental education programs provide a variety of benefits. Not surprisingly, the studies clearly showed that students taking part in environmental education programming gained knowledge about the environment. But learning about the environment is just the tip of the iceberg.

Studies in the review demonstrated that environmental education has led to a number of positive impacts, from improving academic performance, to enhancing critical thinking skills, to developing personal growth and life-building skills including confidence, autonomy, and leadership. In addition, a number of the studies showed that environmental education increased civic engagement and positive environmental behaviors.  

Learn more about this review and access selected study summaries and related resources >