Abstract
Youth experiences in nature play an important role in shaping outcomes associated with science, conservation, and health and well-being. Childhood has been identified as a key life stage for introducing science and environmental education experiences that have the potential to foster life-long engagement with science and the environment. Childhood also represents an important developmental stage where recreation patterns develop that shape an individuals health, well-being, and connection to nature. The outdoors can serve as an instructional space that may be particulalry effective at engaging youth with science and conservation topics.Outdoor spaces are also important recreation venues that facilitate exposure to nature, physical activity, and social interaction, all of which play a key role in maintaining adolescent health and well-being. This dissertation employs three studies to investigate the use of outdoor spaces for education and recreation with a focus on adolescent science, conservation, and well-being outcomes. Study one investigates how childhood participation in science education, environmental education, and outdoor science education interact to encourage long-term participation in science and support for local environments. Study two investigates the effects of COVID-19 on the outdoor recreation participation and subjective well-being of adolescents, as well as how participation in outdoor activities may mitigate declines in subjective well-being. Study three explores the role that connection to nature plays in mediating the relationship between outdoor and nature-related recreation participation and subjective well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, these studies provide insights into effective approaches for generating scientifically and environmentally literate citizens, as well as identifying the role that outdoor, nature-based experiences may play in building resilience and helping youth cope with global stressor events like the COVID-19 pandemic.
aIncludes bibliographical references.
