Major
Environmental Science
Anticipated Graduation Year
2024
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
The lack of environmental education and access to nature is a significant deficit that impacts everyone, particularly youth. This project aims to respond to the correlation between access to environmental education and environmental justice. Folks from marginalized communities tend to have less access to nature education. A survey given to youth after the Forest Preserve Experience in summer 2023, hosted by Friends of the Forest Preserves, was analyzed. The survey included questions about different aspects of program effectiveness. This qualitative data drew connections between socioeconomic disparities and access to nature and environmental education. To address this issue, I have compiled materials that can be applied to all ages and knowledge backgrounds. This flexible module can be molded into various lesson topics including, but not limited to a fundamental plant ID lesson, environmental justice and antiracism lecture, climate change training, and youth empowerment in nature seminar. This research project helped me strengthen my skills in teaching to a wide-ranging audience as well as increased my awareness of disparities when it comes to environmental education.
Community Partners
Columbus Park - Chicago Park District
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Dr. Laura Brentner
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Development of Environmental Education Materials for Columbus Park
The lack of environmental education and access to nature is a significant deficit that impacts everyone, particularly youth. This project aims to respond to the correlation between access to environmental education and environmental justice. Folks from marginalized communities tend to have less access to nature education. A survey given to youth after the Forest Preserve Experience in summer 2023, hosted by Friends of the Forest Preserves, was analyzed. The survey included questions about different aspects of program effectiveness. This qualitative data drew connections between socioeconomic disparities and access to nature and environmental education. To address this issue, I have compiled materials that can be applied to all ages and knowledge backgrounds. This flexible module can be molded into various lesson topics including, but not limited to a fundamental plant ID lesson, environmental justice and antiracism lecture, climate change training, and youth empowerment in nature seminar. This research project helped me strengthen my skills in teaching to a wide-ranging audience as well as increased my awareness of disparities when it comes to environmental education.