In the previous post I mentioned a study Stanford University led that was interpreted by North American Association for Environmental Education. The study looked at over 110 peer-reviewed articles in scholarly journals during the last 20 years relating to environmental education. The study found many benefits outside of respect for nature and the environment came out of environmental education experiences.
In these posts, I’ll relate the findings of Stanford University study. Today we’ll be discussing 21st Century Skills and Civic Engagement and Empowerment. Both topics are important in today’s climate of learning and processing information and how students engage with each other.
The study found “EE helps young people learn more about the relationship between people and the environment. But goes far beyond that, supporting creativity, enhancing critical and analytical thinking,1 building leadership skills, and helping students learn how to effectively collaborate and work in teams.2 Teachers, education experts, and business leaders have identified these as “21st century skills” that are necessary for students’ future success in all areas of life.”
The study went on to say “EE can help students become more engaged citizens. Through its real world application and problem solving, EE helps students learn their impact in the world, and that their decisions and actions are important. Stanford University researchers’ analysis of peer-reviewed articles found that studies measuring civic outcomes report that EE has a positive impact in 92% of the cases. A dozen peer-reviewed studies demonstrated that EE has positive civic outcomes such as instilling learners with a sense of personal responsibility and motivation to address community and environmental issues. “Environmental education helps students gain skill in making a difference and an intrinsic belief that they can. That confidence and empowerment can spill over into other aspects of their lives.” -Dr. Martha Monroe, University of Florida”.
Again, these reinforcing what we have always known about EE. These valuable experiences in the outdoors combined with intentional instruction and debrief help our student become better learners they also help them become better individuals and citizens.
1. Ernst, J. A. & Monroe, M. (2006). The effects of environment-based education on students’ critical thinking skills and disposition toward critical thinking. Environmental Education Research , 12(3-4), 429-443. doi: 10.1080/13504620600942998 In-line Citiation: (Ernst & Monroe, 2006)
2. Volk, T.L., & Cheak, M. J. (2003). The effects of an environmental education program on students, parents and community. The Journal of Environmental Education, 34(4), 12-25. doi: 10.1080/00958960309603483