Oral Presentations
Experiential Education and Climate Change
Presentation Type
Presentation
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Peter McDonough
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Climate Change Studies
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Climate change is leading to an increase in mental health impacts of anxiety, grief, and depression on young people, with many feeling it affects their daily life and functioning. Because of the direct and existential threat that climate change poses to youth, it is essential that educators provide opportunities for students to be informed and empowered through tools to cope with mental health impacts as well as tools for action.Outdoor education can provide the space for educators to engage with climate change discussion. Outdoor education provides an empowering structure for students to engage with nature, develop problem-solving skills, and strengthen communities. Because of the structure provided by outdoor education, this research culminated in the development of a weeklong climate change curriculum for a backpacking trip on the Big Island of Hawai’i. This trip aimed to engage students with climate discussions while teaching outdoor skills. The trip included many opportunities for engaging in climate discussions, practicing outdoor education skills as well as spending a ton of time being immersed in nature. Educators can utilize outdoor education and experiences as a resource as they are the frontline of helping students become informed citizens as well as feel empowered and safe in the world.
Category
Life Sciences
Experiential Education and Climate Change
UC 332
Climate change is leading to an increase in mental health impacts of anxiety, grief, and depression on young people, with many feeling it affects their daily life and functioning. Because of the direct and existential threat that climate change poses to youth, it is essential that educators provide opportunities for students to be informed and empowered through tools to cope with mental health impacts as well as tools for action.Outdoor education can provide the space for educators to engage with climate change discussion. Outdoor education provides an empowering structure for students to engage with nature, develop problem-solving skills, and strengthen communities. Because of the structure provided by outdoor education, this research culminated in the development of a weeklong climate change curriculum for a backpacking trip on the Big Island of Hawai’i. This trip aimed to engage students with climate discussions while teaching outdoor skills. The trip included many opportunities for engaging in climate discussions, practicing outdoor education skills as well as spending a ton of time being immersed in nature. Educators can utilize outdoor education and experiences as a resource as they are the frontline of helping students become informed citizens as well as feel empowered and safe in the world.