Expanding Outdoor and Environmental Education in Public Schools

Abstract

Outdoor and environmental education programs in public schools have the potential to change the outcomes for students, targeting academic success, mental health, and physical health. This paper compiles evidence of these outcomes in a variety of topics to support this claim. Additional long-term research is needed to fully understand the impacts outdoor and environmental education can have on students, but short-term analyses from multiple scholars provide sufficient evidence of benefits to students to support the implementation of programs. I suggest implementing them slowly, beginning with pilot programs at schools to produce data that will encourage other educators and administrators to try it for themselves. This paper addresses benefits to the whole child, impacts on learning in academic content areas, primary and secondary curriculum, types of programs that exist, increasing implementation into public schools, obstacles and limitations, health concerns, supporting students with diverse needs, and the future impacts of outdoor and environmental education in schools. From the compiled research, there are positive implications to conclude that increasing time spent outside will have both short-term and long-term benefits for students, such as increased focus and engagement, and pro-environmental attitudes.