Primary School Environmental

Environmental Education Through the Lens of Diverse Elementary School Students in the United States: A Phenomenographic Study

Brissa Yazmin Quiroz Enriquez

Phenomenographic study of U.S. elementary students from diverse backgrounds explored how they understand environmental education. Students stressed fairness, health, and community. Teachers can connect lessons to children’s lived experiences and local issues, making environmental topics more meaningful and inclusive.

The Effect of a Nature-Based Environmental Education Program on Children’s Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors: A Randomized Experiment With Primary Schools

Silvia Collado, Claudio D. Rosa, José A. Corraliza

Randomized experiment with primary classes compared a nature-based program to usual teaching. The program improved children’s connection to nature and some pro-environmental behaviors. Teachers can use regular outdoor lessons and nature exploration to strengthen students’ care for the environment.

“We Won’t Hurt You Butterfly!” Second-Graders Become Environmental Stewards From Experiences in a School Garden

Carley Fisher-Maltese

Qualitative case study of four second-grade classes using a garden-based insect unit. Interviews, surveys, and observations showed more empathy for insects and interest in protecting habitats. Teachers can use simple garden and insect activities to build caring attitudes and basic ecological ideas.

School Gardening: Improving Environmental Attitudes of Children Through Hands-On Learning

T. M. Waliczek

Project GREEN integrated school gardens into elementary and junior high schools in Kansas and Texas to assess environmental attitudes. Elementary students showed overall gains, with post-test scores 0.26 points higher, especially among female, Caucasian, and rural students.

Exploring the Resistance: An Australian Perspective on Educating for Sustainability in Early Childhood

Julie Margaret Davis, Sue Elliott

Climate change and sustainability are critical global issues, but the early childhood education sector has been slow to adopt education for sustainability. There is an urgent need for this sector to engage actively in sustainability efforts.