Author

Danial Davis

Term

Fall 2024

Capstone

Capstone Project

Degree Name

MAED: NSEE

Facilitator(s)

Jennifer Carlson

Content Expert

Jean A. King

Abstract

This capstone project aimed to create an all ages non-formal environmental education curriculum that intentionally fostered connections between Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and environmental education and between students of all cultures and the more-than-human world. Research suggested that BIPOC were underrepresented in environmental education programs because many programs were grounded in cultural narratives that overlooked BIPOC perspectives and epistemologies, an injustice known as “ontological distance.” The author’s experience as an educator at The Raptor Center suggested that ambassador raptors such as red-tailed hawks offered highly-engaging subjects for non-formal environmental education activities, particularly for lessons attempting new or unorthodox approaches. Therefore, this project framed ambassador birds of prey through BIPOC lenses to create a curriculum of learning activities in which BIPOC students of all ages could see themselves represented. The epistemologies of BIPOC cultures often featured “extrarational pedagogies,” which take more holistic approaches to learning about and knowing the more-than-human world than the often rational science-only pedagogies used in the majority of environmental education programs. Research suggested that these extrarational pedagogies – such as emotional, spiritual, intuitive, aesthetic, and creative learning – could not only increase the visibility of BIPOC in environmental education but also increase the effectiveness of conservation messaging by helping students from all cultures feel more connected to and responsible for the natural world, particularly in cities and suburbs

Project Type

Curriculum

Keywords

Curriculum, Social Justice, Environmental Education, Non-formal Education

dc_type

text

dc_publisher

DigitalCommons@Hamline

dc_format

application/pdf

dc_source

School of Education Student Capstone Projects

Included in

Education Commons

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