Term

Summer 8-10-2016

Capstone

Thesis

Degree Name

MAEd

Primary Advisor/Dissertation Chair

Laura J. Halldin

Secondary Advisor/Reader One

Daniel Schneider

Peer-Reviewer/Reader Two

Jaimie Gosling

Abstract

The research question addressed is does environmental education increase environmental literacy and motivation in urban communities in the United States? The motivating factor for this capstone was from evidence that environmental education can not only improve motivation and literacy, but also help improve academic achievement. This capstone details both historical and current data to support full integration of structured environmental education programs into urban academics. The author documents the results of a survey based on observations made by various academic instructors of both their personal experiences, as well as their view of their students’ experiences, both inside and outside the classroom, with environmental education programs and its effect on motivation, literacy, behavior and academic achievement. The results of the survey can be drawn upon by other academic instructors as evidence to support the inclusion of environmental education in every day urban curricula.

Research Methodology

Action Research, Survey

Keywords

Environmental Studies, Literacy, Motivation, Teachers/ Teaching

Included in

Education Commons

Share

COinS