ENS 301 02
The implementation of environmental and sustainability in education of middle school students
Ansley Oliphant
ENS 301 02
The implementation of environmental and sustainability in education of middle school students
Ansley Oliphant
Humans are one of the many species that make up nature and live within it. There are implications of the human species expanding and urbanizing. With the increase of urbanization there also grows more of a gap between humans and the natural world. Research shows more human development contributes to a lack of connection between humans and the environment. Integrating the environment into middle school curriculum could help fill the gap. When children are taken outside and using the application of nature within their learning creates more of a bond between nature and the student. Many individuals harm the earth and our resources simply due to the lack of awareness they have on the topic overall. Teaching middle school students these principles may lead to more responsible adults capable of creating a more sustainable society.
The relationship between humans and nature is a topic that has been up for discussion for a while and is always present in the modern world, as we continue to develop as a species on this earth. Research suggests due our historical origin of anthropocentric religions, especially in the Western hemisphere of the earth, a mindset has been created that humans are the most important being on this earth, putting forth an influence on the ecological crisis we are experiencing today. (White, 1967) A mindset change for the average individual needs to be shifted to make progress in the current climate and environmental crisis we are experiencing. This can be done by integrating practices of sustainability and environmental education within middle schools. According to research middle school would be a great time to begin integrating these ideas of education on the environment because, before the ages of 11 or 12 years old a child tends to lack the ability to comprehend thoughts that are abstract or begin to think in an abstract manner. Before the middle school age children tend to have more concrete thoughts meaning they need to experience it and have a more literal idea of what is being taught to them. (Svetina et al., 2014) After the age of 12 years old students can then grasp more abstract ideas and perspective on the environment and sustainability practices.
A method a beginning to teach environmental and sustainability practices within middle schools would be using place-based learning as well as experiential learning. Place- based education (PBE) is a way of teaching and a philosophy that uses place as in a location of land, waters, people, their culture and the history of the area to connect students to a lesson being taught. (Place-Based Education, 2020) Experiential learning goes along within PBE but experiential learning is defined as the process of learning by doing. These two practices together will create a stronger connection of learning to the student and is also proven to create stronger motivation and passion towards the topic, in this situation that would be a stronger passion to care over the environment. PBE and Experiential learning can take place in rural as well as urbanized areas as they both are a part of the environment, and it is important for students to understand the natural environment as well as the built environment and how they can coexist as well as implications of the two together.
These two methods of teaching make it easier for students of urban areas to care of local greenspaces and understand why they are there and how they operate. Students will then also have a better outlook and more positive attitude on the natural world. Research also suggests that students who partake in experiential and place-based learning, report having a constructive and positive experience with the activities. Stating they enjoy their time outside of the classroom to learn. (Sena et al., 2023)
The chosen framework for this research is the “Critical Theory of Environmental Education”. The framework suggests a person’s individual relationship within the environment is which is both man-made as well as natural, area based on decisions made by the individual. The outlook also includes ethical views, socio-emotional, and cognitive development. This area of study is within the interdisciplinary field meaning the integration of multiple perspectives, such as science, holistic, political, ethical and social. (Aho, 1984)
Some of the constructs within the theory are experiential, place-based learning, systems thinking, understanding of ecology, critical pedagogy, as well as constructivism. When using all the constructs together it suggests possibility for behavior change on the environment. Promoting this framework suggests individuals can change and have a better understanding on the environment and sustainability practices.
Eco-literacy-
"The ability to understand natural systems within life on earth."
Constructivism- "How individuals construct their understanding of the world around them build by their experiences and social interactions."
Socio-Emotional Learning- " a developmental process that helps people process and learn their emotions as well as apply them to make decisions."
Systems Thinking-
"a way of approaching problems as a larger system, rather than small individual parts."
Place-based Learning-
"an educational approach that immerses an individual in local cultures, experiences, opportunities and places."
Critical Pedagogy-
"a learning philosophy that encourages students to into power structures and inequalities."
How does the implementation of environmental and sustainability into education affect middle school student’s behaviors towards the environment in Grand Rapids Michigan?
It is important we think of ways to influence the next generations to care more about the environment and be motived to live sustainable lifestyles. By asking this research question we can see how behaviors and attitudes towards the natural environment may change of middle school students.
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