Examining environmental learning experiences at an earth education summer camp |
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| Authors: | Adam Cheeseman Tarah Wright |
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| Institution: | 1. School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University , Halifax , Canada;2. Department of Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University , Halifax , Canada |
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| Abstract: | Many barriers restrict children’s access to nature resulting in negative consequences, including a lack of opportunities to learn and engage with the natural environment. Fortunately, environmental education programs offer participants an opportunity to counteract these challenges. While the benefits of environmental education as measured by pre-determined outcomes are well documented, research focused on participants’ perceptions and preferences related to their environmental learning experiences continues to be under-represented in the literature. Using a pre-/post-test survey approach, this study aimed to explore how an earth education summer camp, Sunship Earth TM, contributed to participants environmental learning experiences. Results suggest that Sunship Earth TM provides children with various EL opportunities that help to increase their understanding of some ecological concepts. Results also suggest that this learning experience may have helped to broaden participants’ understanding of environmental issues and actions, as well as enhance feelings of care, interest, and responsibility towards the environment. |
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| Keywords: | Children environmental learning environmental education summer camps nature exposure |
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