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2017 Spring | Arts & Humanities, Education & Outreach

HTTP Error 404 – Forest not found: Does technology inhibit environmental awareness?

Student(s):

Jenna Duncan

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Cosette Rae

Partner(s):

  • reSTART Life

Faculty advisor(s):

Kristi Straus, Program of the Environment, University of Washington

I worked with adolescents at reSTART Life who are addicted to technology. My focus was to work with adolescents in a therapeutic gardening program to help them engage with the environment. My research included gardening programs for cancer patients and juveniles at a correctional facility. Activities ranged from lesson plans on sustainability and climate change to team building exercises like building a compost bin and reestablishing the garden space. The purpose of therapeutic gardening was to bridge the gap of getting kids interested in being outdoors to encourage stewardship and awareness for the environment.