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2017 Spring | Arts & Humanities, Education & Outreach, Natural Science & Restoration

Mindfulness in Urban Environmental Education

Student(s):

Leila Jordan

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Lauren Sinnott

Partner(s):

  • Student Conservation Association

Faculty advisor(s):

Karen Litfin, Department of Political Science, University of Washington

This project sought to understand the impact of including mindfulness (attention for the present moment) in environmental education curriculum. The research gauges change in participants’ connection to nature, sense of stewardship, and emotional state before and after engaging in mindfulness activities. This is accomplished by creating curriculum that incorporates mindfulness practices in environmental education activities. Participants in the study use this curriculum while completing local restoration projects and are surveyed to gauge the impact of the lessons. These lessons successfully help students gain a stronger connection to nature and sense of stewardship, and develop more emotional awareness.