Date of Graduation
Fall 2016
Degree
Master of Science in Biology
Department
Biology
Committee Chair
Janice S. Greene
Abstract
Many children today may not be familiar with nature due to lack of experience and education in the outdoors. If they are not exposed to nature, then they will not be as comfortable in the outdoors. This study evaluates the effectiveness of educational activities at the Watershed Center in Springfield, Missouri on high school students' and college level pre-service teachers' knowledge, comfort levels, attitudes, and actions toward the outdoor environment. Post-field trip responses of students who came to the Watershed Center were compared to students who did not participate in a field trip. Teachers were also surveyed to assess why they brought their classes to the Watershed Center. This study found significant differences in knowledge, action scores, and attitude scores between field trip participants and non-field trip participants. Approximately 50 percent of teachers responded saying they enjoyed the hands-on activities the Watershed Center provides. The natural environment depends on people caring. Short-term experiences in the outdoors can make differences in students' attitudes and future actions.
Keywords
environmental education, outdoor education, green school, field experiences, environmental attitudes
Subject Categories
Biology
Copyright
© Brandi Niccole Silvey
Recommended Citation
Silvey, Brandi Niccole, "Effect Of A Short-Term Field Experience On Student Outdoor Environmental Knowledge, Comfort Levels, Attitude, And Action Scores" (2016). MSU Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 3046.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3046
