An increasing amount of research shows a
positive correlation between children’s exposure to nature and their health,
including their capacity to learn. Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the
Woods, wrote, “All children need nature. Not just the ones whose parents
appreciate nature. Not only those children of a certain economic class or
culture or set of abilities. Every child.” As an environmental educator, I have
learned that hands on, experiential learning is the most effective tool for
long-term retention of new information and has the added benefit of providing a
positive impact on students’ mental well-being. My fondest memories include
seeing the joy on my students’ faces, especially those who, despite growing up
within one hour of the beach, had never seen the ocean.
More so than ever before, children are
growing up indoors and attached to various screens. While there are many
advantages to technology, indirect deprival of nature and the outdoors can lead
to dire consequences. Brian Edwards (2006) conducted research on links between
environmental design on school buildings and educational performance and found
that seemingly small details such as enhanced exposure to natural light
improved the performance of the students. These are simple improvements that
every teacher could alter in their classroom. While certain schools may have a
financial or architectural advantage, I have taught in schools where teachers
have placed blackout curtains on their windows and I feel an immediate,
negative mood change upon entering those classrooms. More research and
distribution of this knowledge could increase implementation of small, positive
changes in the classroom.
Environmental education can improve
students’ learning across all topics. Michele Archie, a consultant with
extensive background in environmental education, has looked at schools that
have adopted environment-based curriculum and found that reading, science,
social studies, and mathematics scores improve and student apathy decreases. I
believe this is done through improvement of critical thinking skills by
experiential, project-based learning as opposed to textbook memorization.
Developing advanced analytical skills through problem solving activities will
improve students’ learning skills as a whole.
I also have concerns about the future of
our planet, which is in the hands of younger generations. With the current
disconnect between children and nature, how will they develop an appreciation
for our planet and a desire to treat it with care and respect? Without
environmental education there will not be environmental caretaking. Mehmet
Erdogan (2015) studied the effect of summer environmental education programs on
students’ environmental literacy and cited many studies that showed an increase
in environmental knowledge and awareness after participating in environmental
education. The finding that “involvement in outdoor activities stimulates
environmental attitudes of individuals” most stood out to me because this is
something I have believed in and practiced for several years, but had never
looked up the research to prove it. Individuals only work to protect something
they care about and this care can only be developed over time and through positive
interactions.
I developed an interest in the
environment through a combination of outings with my family and field trips
through school, but the majority of my interaction with nature was because of
family interest. What about students whose families lack this interest or do
not have the time or funds necessary to enhance environmental curiosity? It is
imperative that schools integrate environmental education into their programs
in a more consistent manner; one or two field trips a year is not enough to
foster environmental awareness. Jane Eller, of the Kentucky Environmental
Education Council, notes that lack of environmental education can go beyond
encouraging apathy and actually promote environmental harm. She believes,
“environmental literacy is a right. Without it, people can do harmful things
they would never intend to do.”
It is in the best interest of both
students and the planet to incorporate environmental education into our
schools.
