Learning Biodiversity, Living Sustainably: CASE Project Impacts on Biodiversity Understanding and Actions

• In Event: Learning to Use Science to Build Just and Sustainable Futures

Abstract

Biodiversity and ecosystem services are rapidly declining, due to human pressures; however, addressing threats to biodiversity offers unique opportunities for youth to leverage learning and local action in ways that are relevant and accessible to them. This study explores how the Community and Sustainability Education project, using problem-based learning sequences and teacher professional learning, influences students’ understanding of and beliefs related to biodiversity and sustainability. After participating in the project, students’ understanding of biodiversity’s importance, its threats, its declines during their lifetime, and its relevance to their lives grew substantially. Despite increased environmental actions by students, no significant change was noted in their willingness to alter their behaviors to live more sustainably nor in their confidence to impact the environment.

Authors

• Katherine Joy Nilsen, WestEd

• Aaron Soo Ping Chow, WestEd

• Sara Salisbury, WestEd

• Ashley Iveland, WestEd