The quest for sustainable energy solutions has positioned bioenergy as a critical avenue for reducing global reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating the effects of climate change. Among potential bioenergy feedstocks, sugarcane ("Saccharum officinarum" L.) has emerged as a leading candidate due to its high biomass yield, low energy input…

Immersive encounters with nature have the power to catalyze enduring shifts in attitudes towards conservation and foster pro-environmental behaviors. Employing qualitative research methodologies, I delved into the experiences of concessionaire seasonal employees at Canyon Village within Yellowstone National Park (YNP). By exploring how their…

While research has identified the myriad benefits of outdoor learning, the voice of the outdoor educators (OEs) who play an integral role in developing this programming is often backgrounded, leaving a dearth of information regarding their professional contributions within informal and nonformal educational spaces. To begin to fill this gap, the…

This study investigated a pedagogical approach towards ameliorating the global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic through forest restoration and environmental sustainability. This research is considered apt and timely as it underscores the urgent need for forest restoration and environmental sustainability solutions in our fragile ecosystems amidst…

We live in what a growing number of scientists call the Anthropocene. Combining the Greek root word anthrop- (human) and the suffix -cene (new or recent), the Anthropocene is a period of time in which human activity is understood to have grown so impactful as to alter Earth's conditions. Examples of these planetary changes include (but are not…

Previous research indicates that learners appear to connect with nature and have heightened environmental perceptions after participating in environmental education programs (EEPs). Positive changes in attitudes toward nature are important because they can precede environmentally responsible behaviors, such as individuals' leadership on…

This paper leans into alterlife (Murphy, 2017) and connectivity ontologies (Harrison, 2015) to consider the implications of more-than-witness(es/ing) (our term) on social studies education. Taking a narrative approach, we engage with three more-than-human bodies (e.g., Boulder, Forest, Document(s)) in an effort to expand how act(or/ion)s of…

This paper explores sensory perception in classrooms, and the relationship between classrooms and nature in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. First, it argues that this crisis provides a unique opportunity to rethink how we perceive classrooms and their connection with nature. Second, the paper describes what students and teachers usually see,…

In this critical co-constructed auto-ethnographic article we draw on research from two contexts, exploring how critical peace education can be more than palliative care in times of ecological collapse and profound crises across ecosystems. Examining the current crises of learning, living and being, we call for eco-peace-based education: grounded…

Objective: Rural and emerging adult women report low physical activity (PA) levels. This study identified differences in current self-reported PA levels and perceived resources among US university women from metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural areas. Participants: Women were ages 18-24 y, full-time students who attended in-person university…

Effective education depends on various factors, with textbooks and courses being essential for preparing students for real life situations. Therefore, it's crucial that textbooks are thoughtfully developed and chosen. This study investigates how middle school mathematics textbooks approved by the Ministry of National Education for the 2021-2022…

Positioned within Indigenous and ecological discourses, our paper reconsiders human-centered relationships with earth and activities such as STEM that view earth as commodity, resource, and platform. In doing so, we turn to the ways earth (e.g., rivers, forests, animals) teaches mathematics education for "STEM as place" and reveals…

In the face of accelerating biodiversity loss, there is a need for widespread public support for conservation efforts. To increase the understanding of biodiversity issues, researchers suggest beginning with the acquisition of species knowledge. However, to optimally support the successful acquisition of species knowledge, influencing factors must…

Beyond correlational studies exploring the benefits of nature exposure, there have been studies assessing interventions that aim to improve nature connection in children and adolescents. A feeling of connection with nature or 'nature connectedness' describes our attitude towards nature, primarily reflecting the emotional, cognitive, and…

Burnout and mental wellness have become a focus for both practicing providers and individuals in medical training programs. While techniques that assist in burnout and stress mitigation can vary, few techniques have been evaluated in the physician assistant student population. Green spaces have been utilized to reduce stress, improve cognitive…