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Graduation Date

Spring 5-10-2025

Document Type

Portfolio

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Degree Name

Environmental Philosophy

School or Department

Philosophy

Abstract

From Fables to Facts: Discovering the World Through Stories and Science examines the integration of narrative storytelling and hands-on scientific exploration as a means of cultivating environmental literacy, ethical reflection, and sustained engagement with the natural world. Grounded in environmental philosophy, aesthetics, and ethics, the project draws on theoretical insights from Holmes Rolston III, Marcia Muelder Eaton, Allen Carlson, Arnold Berleant, and C. Thi Nguyen to develop a multidimensional model of education that unites imagination, cognition, and participatory experience. Implemented in diverse Montana community settings—including libraries, early learning centers, science museums, and faith-based organizations—the program paired fables, parables, and literary narratives with thematically aligned experiments and activities, enabling participants to approach ecological concepts both analytically and affectively. Over 20 sessions, the curriculum engaged approximately 250 students, prompting curiosity, moral attentiveness, and place-based environmental awareness. The results demonstrate that storytelling, when anchored in accurate science and supported by tactile, immersive experiences, not only enriches aesthetic appreciation of nature but also deepens ethical connection and empowers participants to see themselves as co-authors in the ongoing story of the Earth.

Keywords

Lucille, Fables to Facts, Environmental Philosophy, Science, Fiction

Subject Categories

Curriculum and Instruction | Earth Sciences | Educational Leadership | Elementary Education | Environmental Sciences | Liberal Studies | Science and Mathematics Education

From Fables to Facts: Discovering the World Through Stories and Science

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