Term
Spring 2026
Capstone
Capstone Project
Degree Name
MAED: NSEE
Facilitator(s)
Kelly Killorn
Content Expert
Jeanette Kelly
Abstract
Growing research shows that engaging children in environmental education produces a myriad of benefits, such as improved social, physical, mental, and cognitive aspects of children' s wellbeing. Even with these beneficial outcomes, researchers find that a disconnect between youth and the natural world exists and is growing. This capstone answers the question, How can educators create place-based environmental education opportunities for middle school students?, and ultimately help students build positive relationships with the environment. Grounded in place-based environmental education and created for a rural community in Northern Illinois, this capstone project centers on a field study situated in a local prairie habitat. Students step outside to engage in hands-on and authentic activities to strengthen their connection to the natural world and make a difference in their community. By creating a place-based environmental education opportunity for educators to use, students can form positive relationships with the environment, participate in a call to action in their own natural spaces, and become stewards that care about creating a sustainable future for themselves and their communities.
Project Type
Curriculum
Keywords
Curriculum, Environmental Education, Place-based Education
Recommended Citation
Grelecki, Deanna, "Place-Based Environmental Education: Forming Connections to Your Local Environment and Community" (2026). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects. 1191.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_cp/1191
dc_type
text
dc_publisher
DigitalCommons@Hamline
dc_format
application/pdf
dc_source
School of Education Student Capstone Projects