Green urban landscapes and school-level academic performance

Higher levels of tree canopy are linked to higher school-level reading test scores

Hodson, C.B., Sander, H.A., (2017). Green urban landscapes and school-level academic performance. Landscape and Urban Planning, 160, 16-27.

Critical caring for people and place

A teacher’s authentic caring played a critical role in how students related to their environmental learning experiences.

Schindel, A., Tolbert, S., (2017). Critical caring for people and place. The Journal of Environmental Education, 48(1), 26-34.

Ecological literacy - Preparing children for the twenty-first century

Playful activities promote the development of ecological literacy in young children

de Brito Miranda, A.C., Jófili, Z., dos Anjos Carneiro-Leão, A.M., (2017). Ecological literacy - Preparing children for the twenty-first century. Early Child Development and Care, 187(2), 192-205.

An ethnographic comparison of real and virtual reality field trips to Trillium Trail: The salamander find as a salient event

Real field trips provide better overall learning environments than virtual field trips

Harrington, M. C. R., (2009). An ethnographic comparison of real and virtual reality field trips to Trillium Trail: The salamander find as a salient event. Children, Youth and Environments, 19(1), 74-101.

Childhood development and access to nature: A new direction for environmental inequality research

Research is needed to understand whether and why inequalities exist in terms of children's exposure to toxic pollutants, nature, and green space

Strife, S., Downey, L., (2009). Childhood development and access to nature: A new direction for environmental inequality research. Organization & Environment, 22(1), 99 - 122.

The child in the garden: An evaluative review of the benefits of school gardening

School gardens positively impact children's learning and behavior

Blair, D., (2009). The child in the garden: An evaluative review of the benefits of school gardening. Journal of Environmental Education, 40(2), 15-38.

Children's relationship to plants among primary school children in Finland

Children's interest and relationship to nature and vegetation varies by context (urban vs. rural) and gender

Laaksoharju, T., Rappe, E., (2010). Children's relationship to plants among primary school children in Finland. HortTechnology, 20(4), 689-695.

Biodiverse or barren school grounds: Their effects on children

Green schoolyards provide rich play environments

Samborski, S., (2010). Biodiverse or barren school grounds: Their effects on children. Children, Youth and Environments, 20(2), 67-115.

Influence of limitedly visible leafy indoor plants on the psychology, behavior, and health of students at a junior high school in Taiwan

Plants in classrooms benefit students' emotions, behavior, and health

Han, K. T., (2009). Influence of limitedly visible leafy indoor plants on the psychology, behavior, and health of students at a junior high school in Taiwan. Environment and Behavior, 41(5), 658-692.

Experience in local urban wildlife research enhances a conservation education programme with school children

Nature-based experiences with academic mentors in urban environments enhances students' awareness and interest

Awasthy, M., Popovic, A. Z., Linklater, W. L., (2012). Experience in local urban wildlife research enhances a conservation education programme with school children. Pacific Conservation Biology, 18(1), 41 - 46.

The nature of udeskole: Outdoor learning theory and practice in Danish schools

Outdoor education in the context of Danish "udeskole" provides insights into best practices and practical challenges

Bensten, P., Jensen, F. S., (2012). The nature of udeskole: Outdoor learning theory and practice in Danish schools. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 12(3), 199 - 219.

Promoting connectedness with nature through environmental education

Age and academic level may predict children's connectedness to nature and the success of environmental education in enhancing connectedness

Lieflander, A., Frohlich, G., Bogner, F. X., Schultz, P. W., (2013). Promoting connectedness with nature through environmental education. Environmental Education Research, 19(3), 370 - 384.

Use of the outdoor classroom and nature-study to support science and literacy learning: A narrative case study of a third-grade classroom

Nature provides a meaningful context for integrated science and literacy learning and contributes to student achievement on standardized tests

Eick, C. J., (2012). Use of the outdoor classroom and nature-study to support science and literacy learning: A narrative case study of a third-grade classroom. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 23(7), 789 - 803.

Urban environmental education: Leveraging technology and ecology to engage students in studying the environment

Science self-efficacy and environmental stewardship of high school students improved through participation in an intensive summer urban ecology program

Barnett, M., Vaughn, M., Strauss, E., Cotter, L., (2011). Urban environmental education: Leveraging technology and ecology to engage students in studying the environment. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 20(3), 199 - 214.

The REAL team: A cooperative student training program in rapid ecological assessment

Ecological internship program is model for valuable educational and work experience

Farnsworth, E. J., Holsinger, K. E., Mehrhoff, L. J., Murray, N., Preston, J., Silander, J. A., (2001). The REAL team: A cooperative student training program in rapid ecological assessment. BioScience, 51(10), 874-879.

Role of internship in higher education in environmental sciences

Environmental science internships are complementary to university education

Scholz, R. W., Steiner, R., Hansmann, R., (2004). Role of internship in higher education in environmental sciences. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 41(1), 24-46.

Adult learning meets the green economy: Lessons from a green jobs education project

Adult education for green jobs is successful, but basic skills are a prerequisite

Wagner, C., (2013). Adult learning meets the green economy: Lessons from a green jobs education project. Adult Learning, 24(1), 14 - 21.

Taking kindergartners outdoors: Documenting their explorations and assessing the impact on their ecological awareness

Nature kindergarten nurtures a deep connection with nature

Elliot, E., Ten Eycke, K., Chan, S., Müller, U., (2014). Taking kindergartners outdoors: Documenting their explorations and assessing the impact on their ecological awareness. Children, Youth and Environments, 24(2), 102-122.

A comparative study of the impacts and students' perceptions of indoor and outdoor learning in the science classroom

Outdoor learning complements indoor learning by improving student performance and increasing student participation and enjoyment in science learning activities

Dhanapal, S., Lim, C. C. Y., (2013). A comparative study of the impacts and students' perceptions of indoor and outdoor learning in the science classroom. Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, 14(2), 1 - 23.

The effect of an animal-assisted reading program on the reading rate, accuracy and comprehension of grade 3 students: A randomized control study

Third grade students significantly improve reading comprehension and retention when reading with a dog in an animal-assisted reading program

le Roux, M. C., Swartz, L., Swart, E., (2014). The effect of an animal-assisted reading program on the reading rate, accuracy and comprehension of grade 3 students: A randomized control study. Child & Youth Care Forum, 43(6), 655 - 673.

Living animals in the classroom: A meta-analysis on learning outcome and a treatment-control study focusing on knowledge and motivation

Students' knowledge outcomes did not differ with a live animal present versus use of a film, but motivation to learn was enhanced with a live animal

Hummel, E., Randler, C., (2012). Living animals in the classroom: A meta-analysis on learning outcome and a treatment-control study focusing on knowledge and motivation. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 21(1), 95 - 105.

Contact with nature and children’s wellbeing in educational settings

Social interaction, stress and attention may improve in one- to three-year-olds by free play in outdoor green space

Carrus, G., Pirchio, S., Passiatore, Y., Mastandrea, S., Scopelliti, M., Bartoli, G., (2012). Contact with nature and children’s wellbeing in educational settings. Journal of Social Sciences, 8(3), 304 - 309.

Green schoolyards as havens from stress and resources for resilience in childhood and adolescence

Natural schoolyards decrease stress, strengthen attention, reduce behavior problems, and enhance factors associated with resilience in children of all ages

Chawla, L., Keena, K., Pevec, I., Stanley, E., (2014). Green schoolyards as havens from stress and resources for resilience in childhood and adolescence. Health & Place, 28, 1-13.

Does a nurturing approach that uses an outdoor play environment build resilience in children from a challenging background?

Children from challenging backgrounds experience improved well-being and resilience after participating in nurturing outdoor program

McArdle, K., Harrison, T., Harrison, D., (2013). Does a nurturing approach that uses an outdoor play environment build resilience in children from a challenging background?. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 13(3), 238-254.

Learning biology and mathematics outdoors: Effects and attitudes in a Swedish high school context

Outdoor learning improves long-term memory of course content and increases positive student attitudes

Fägerstam, E., Blom, J., (2013). Learning biology and mathematics outdoors: Effects and attitudes in a Swedish high school context. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 13(1), 56 - 75.

The effect of a horseshoe crab citizen science program on middle school student science performance and STEM career motivation

Citizen science program for middle school students has positive effects with potential for STEM career motivation

Hiller, S. E., Kitsantas, A., (2014). The effect of a horseshoe crab citizen science program on middle school student science performance and STEM career motivation. School Science and Mathematics, 114(6), 302 - 311.

Advancing sustainability through urban green space: Cultural ecosystem services, equity, and social determinants of health

More equitable access to urban green space may help alleviate health gaps between socio-economic groups

Jennings, V, Larson, L., Yun, J., (2016). Advancing sustainability through urban green space: Cultural ecosystem services, equity, and social determinants of health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(2)

School-based experiential outdoor education - A neglected necessity

Outdoor education improves students’ engagement in and motivation for learning

James, J.K., Williams, T., (2017). School-based experiential outdoor education - A neglected necessity. Journal of Experiential Education, 40(1), 58-71.

Playing with nature: Supporting preschoolers' creativity in natural outdoor classrooms

Natural outdoor classrooms promote preschoolers’ creativity in the areas of problem-solving and ingenuity

Kiewra, C., Veselack, E., (2016). Playing with nature: Supporting preschoolers' creativity in natural outdoor classrooms. The International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 4(1)

Outdoor explorations with preschoolers: An observational study of young children's developing relationship with the natural world

Children’s understanding of the natural world develops through direct, positive experiences with nature, supported by adult guidance

McClain, C., Vandermaas-Peeler, M., (2016). Outdoor explorations with preschoolers: An observational study of young children's developing relationship with the natural world. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 4(1)

Shifting gears: Engaging nurse practitioners in prescribing time outdoors

Nurse practitioners can serve as catalysts in promoting healthier lifestyles through Park Prescription initiatives

Wessel, L.A., (2017). Shifting gears: Engaging nurse practitioners in prescribing time outdoors. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 13(1), 89-96.

Affordances of ditches for preschool children

Ditches have the potential to become an important design element in outdoor playspaces for young children

Lerstrup, I., Moller, M.S., (2016). Affordances of ditches for preschool children. Children, Youth and Environments, 26(2), 43-60.

Bringing outdoor play indoors in United Arab Emirates: Mud as a powerful binding element

A Mud Day project is successful in bringing outdoor learning indoors

Baker, F.S., (2017). Bringing outdoor play indoors in United Arab Emirates: Mud as a powerful binding element. Childhood Education, 93(1), 73-79.

Geotheorizing mountain-child relations within anthropogenic inheritances

Early childhood pedagogy based on relationality rather than separation could serve as a form of resistance to an extractive relationship with the more-than-human world

Nxumalo, F., (2017). Geotheorizing mountain-child relations within anthropogenic inheritances. Children's Geographies, 15(5), 558-569.

"We won't hurt you butterfly!" Second-graders become environmental stewards from experiences in a school garden

School-garden program promotes positive attitudes toward the environment

Fisher-Maltese, C., (2016). "We won't hurt you butterfly!" Second-graders become environmental stewards from experiences in a school garden. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 4(1), 54-69.

Companion animals and child/adolescent development: A systematic review of the evidence

Pet ownership may be beneficial to child and adolescent emotional, cognitive, behavioral, educational and social development

Purewal, R., Christley, R., Kordas, K., Joinson, C,, Meints, K., Gee, N,, Westgarth, C., (2017). Companion animals and child/adolescent development: A systematic review of the evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(3)

Pedagogical school gardens as a Food and Nutrition Education strategy: Perception of parents and educators of their impact on children's diets

Children and families experience dietary benefits of school gardens

Garcia, M.T., Coelho, D.E.P., Bogus, C.M., (2017). Pedagogical school gardens as a Food and Nutrition Education strategy: Perception of parents and educators of their impact on children's diets. Demetra

The perception, management and performance of risk amongst Forest School educators

Forest School educators altered their risk management practices in response to competing conceptions of childhood and risk

Connolly, M., Haughton, C., (2017). The perception, management and performance of risk amongst Forest School educators. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 38(2), 105-124.

Are young children's utterances affected by characteristics of their learning environments? A multiple case study

Preschool children use richer language in a natural environment than in indoor or outdoor classrooms

Richardson, T., Murray, J., (2017). Are young children's utterances affected by characteristics of their learning environments? A multiple case study. Early Child Development and Care, 187(3-4), 457-468.

Identifying and characterizing risky play in the age one-to-three years

The existing definition and characteristics of risky play may not be useful for one-year-olds

Kleppe, R., Melhuish, E., Sandseter, E.B.H., (2017). Identifying and characterizing risky play in the age one-to-three years. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 25(3), 370-385.

Down by the Bay

The resources of a nature center help second-graders learn more in-depth information about their local environment

Allison, E., Tunks, K., Hardman, K., (2017). Down by the Bay. Science and Children, 54(7), 29-33.

Cultural transmission at nature kindergartens: Foraging as a key ingredient

Educational benefits of foraging include the transmission of culture and strengthening children’s connection with nature

Nugent, C., Beames, S., (2015). Cultural transmission at nature kindergartens: Foraging as a key ingredient. Canadian Journal of Environmental Education, 20, 78-91.

'I saw a magical garden with flowers that people could not damage!': Children's visions of nature and of learning about nature in and out of school

Children’s deep emotional connection with nature generates a strongly protective disposition

Rios, C., Menezes, I., (2017). 'I saw a magical garden with flowers that people could not damage!': Children's visions of nature and of learning about nature in and out of school. Environmental Education Research, 23(10), 1402-1413.

Effects of regular classes in outdoor education settings: A systematic review on students' learning, social and health dimensions

Regular classes in outdoor settings can promote students’ learning, health, social development, and concern for the environment

Becker, C., Lauterbach, G., Spengler, S., Dettweiler, U., Mess, F., (2017). Effects of regular classes in outdoor education settings: A systematic review on students' learning, social and health dimensions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14

Outdoor learning spaces: The case of forest school

Outdoor space provides new opportunities for children and teachers to interact in a way that stimulates both teaching and learning

Harris, F., (2017). Outdoor learning spaces: The case of forest school. AREA

From nature deficit to outdoor exploration: Curriculum for sustainability in Vermont's public schools

Vermont elementary school educators find ways to effectively integrate environmental education into their practice

Silverman, J., Corneau, N., (2017). From nature deficit to outdoor exploration: Curriculum for sustainability in Vermont's public schools. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 17(3), 258-273.

Stories for living on a damaged planet: Environmental education in a preschool classroom

Children’s encounters with dead and dying bees foster more complex and deeper relationships with more-than-human others

Nxumalo, F., (2017). Stories for living on a damaged planet: Environmental education in a preschool classroom. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 16(2), 148-159.

The matter of the stick: Storying/(re)storying children's literacies in the forest

In the context of forest school pedagogy, post humanism and the common worlds framework suggest that children’s learning is about, through and with the elements of the forest

Harwood, D., Collier, D.R., (2017). The matter of the stick: Storying/(re)storying children's literacies in the forest. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 17(3), 336-352.

The Schaus Swallowtail Habitat Enhancement Project: An applied service-learning project continuum from Biscayne National Park to Miami-Dade County Public Schools

School grounds can be used for the dual purpose of enhancing student learning and increasing the biodiversity of organisms

Clayburn, J., Koptur, S., O'Brien, G., Whelan, K.R.T., (2017). The Schaus Swallowtail Habitat Enhancement Project: An applied service-learning project continuum from Biscayne National Park to Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Southeastern Naturalist, 16(10), 26-46.

Does access to green space impact the mental well-being of children: A systematic review

Access to nature can promote the mental well-being of children

McCormick, R., (2017). Does access to green space impact the mental well-being of children: A systematic review. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 37, 3-7.