What Went Well? Long-Term Environmental Education in an Elementary School in Israel

• In Event: 68.060 - Roundtable Session 29
  In Roundtable Session: 68.060-21 - Preservice Field Experiences and International Contexts

Abstract

Long-term environmental education (EE) programs that have operated for almost two decades but have never been formally evaluated are rare. This qualitative case study investigated the features of this long-term EE program. We analyzed documents, focus group transcriptions, and individual interviews. Our findings were aligned with the goals of both the EE program and the value belief norm (VBN) theory variables as well as indicated five main features: leadership and vision, resources, nature-connectedness, and nature conservation. These features work collectively to make Alona School’s (AS) culture and long-term EE program distinct. AS culture was presented across the entire organization, including its rules and rituals, which in turn allowed it to expand to communities around the school.

Authors

• Adiv Gal, Kibbutzim College

• Dafna Gan, Hakibbutzim College