Evaluation As a Bridge to Foster Research-to-practice Partnerships in Nature-based Educational Programming

• In Event: AERA Research in Progress Roundtable Session Five
  In Invited Roundtable: Research-in-Progress RT042 (Sunday)

Abstract

The research-to-practice gap is a well-documented problem in the field of nature and wellbeing, hindering the application of research to the design of outdoors education programs. A growing number of organizations offer nature-based educational programming, resulting in a pressing need to promote research-practice partnerships that can support effective evaluation practices to guide program design and implementation with cutting-edge research. An effective implementation of research-based knowledge in outdoors education will not only benefit program participants but will also build the evidence base regarding the impacts of spending time in nature. This work is relevant to establishing long-term, research-to-practice collaborations that build capacity for program evaluation, foster mutual learning, enhance the effectiveness of outdoor education programs, and increase learners’ health and well-being.

Authors

• Silvia Terol, Colorado State University

• Jill Zarestky, Colorado State University

• Sarah Walker, Colorado State University

• Kaiya Tamlyn, Colorado State University

• Sharde Johnson, Colorado State University

• Julia Merfeld, Colorado State University

• Sara LoTemplio, Colorado State University

• Sarah-Ashley Collins, Colorado State University