Engagement with learning

Educators have recently embraced computer game-based learning as a complement to classroom learning. Games depict the real world in virtual reality and model complex systems under different conditions. As class sizes increase under the constraint of funding challenges, arranging field trips may become less feasible, but games can supplement or replace field trips with virtual experiences. Research has suggested that game-based learning can transfer environmental knowledge and change environmental attitudes, which in turn may impact environmental behavior.

In order to successfully combat the ever-increasing challenges of climate change and to lessen the overall impacts, it is of the utmost importance for humans to shift toward environmentally-friendly behaviors. Environmental education (EE) has been proven to positively effect pro-environmental behaviors (PEB). Based on the role climate change has on the overall health of the environment, pro-climate behavior (PCB) is a subset of PEB. PCBs are individual actions that can support reducing energy and carbon emissions and other negative impacts of climate change.

As the world faces increased impacts from climate change, it is crucial to help young children connect with and value protecting the more-than-human (MtH) world. The term MtH is meant to be used as an inclusive view of the natural world, which embraces animals, plants, water, fungi, land, and more. Researchers have proposed that many nature-related problems the world faces now due in part to a larger disconnect between humans and the MtH world as compared to the past.

There are many benefits associated with outdoor field trips for students, including: increased ecological knowledge, connection to nature, cognitive skills, and student interest and motivation. Field trips are conducive for discovering information and exploring concepts outside of the classroom. However, educators may resist field trips for a variety of reasons, such as lack of funding, liability concerns, curriculum inflexibility due to focus on standardized testing, fear of poor student behavior, logistical challenges, and lack of time or training.

A proven method to increase student engagement and promote learning objectives is to take students out of the traditional classroom setting, and on field trips. Field trips are well suited for environmental education (EE) because educators can bring students into natural settings where there are many direct links between the theory and content taught in EE classrooms and hands-on learning can occur. However, studies have shown educators lack confidence to organize or lead field trips.

Climate change is a wicked problem that evokes a range of emotional responses, from support (believing we need to and can change the future) to apathy (believing there is no hope to change the future) to denial (firmly believing that climate change is not happening). Prior research has suggested that creating space for students to react emotionally while simultaneously encouraging teachers to responsibly coach those reactions should be a part of climate change education to better handle and solve environmental issues.

Due to the increasing severity and urgency of environmental issues, environmental education (EE) is not only focused on providing environmental literacy, but also tangible skills that can be applied to environmental challenges. The ability for students to use Geospatial Information System (GIS) technology is a valuable skill that can be applied in an environmental context along with other subjects.

Environmental education should promote positive relationships to self, community, and the natural world. Garden spaces are frequently used as locations for environmental education programs, and in this study the researchers hoped to deeply analyze garden-based learning programs to evaluate how these programs impact participants. This study focused on findings from three garden-based programs that the researchers had observed.

The decline of pollinator populations globally has been recognized as an urgent issue, due to how crucial pollinators are to a healthy and functioning planet. One of the primary drivers of decreasing pollinator populations is the loss of their habitat, so a common conservation technique is to promote pollinator-friendly gardens. Past research has demonstrated that planting wildflower seeds of native species has a strong, positive effect on plant and pollinator diversity. However, the behavioral impact of programs that distribute wildflower seeds has not been studied.

The impacts of climate change are apparent globally, however, communities along the coasts that rely on fishing for their livelihoods and subsistence, are at the forefront of these effects. These areas are typically more geographically isolated and have fewer educational resources than inland locations, occasionally leading to a tradition of mistrust and skepticism about climate change from the adult population there.