Biophilia Constructs: An Examination of Relationships Between Evolution Acceptance and Nature Connectedness in Science Majors

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 3
  In Poster Session: Science Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Science is traditionally taught in discrete units of content. However, much of science, including biology content, is conceptually related. The relationships between evolution learning and ecology/environmental science learning, as well as the relationships between evolution acceptance and attitudes/connection toward the environment, are not well understood. Given the conceptual, societal, and philosophical connections that bind evolution and ecology, we sought to determine the extent to which science majors perceive these connections, especially in light of constructs like nature connectedness and domination that have surfaced in the literature. This presentation will discuss the relationships between evolution acceptance, connection to nature, and human-wildlife relationships in terms of college science major, science discipline, and science course enrolled in.

Authors

• Vanessa Ann Klein, University of Maine at Orono

• Lisa A. Borgerding, Kent State University