Thousands of P-12 students increase environmental literacy through place-based experiences

Relevance:

Place-based, hands-on educational opportunities increase environmental literacy as well as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) literacy through direct experiences in coastal environments and addressing coastal issues. These experiences increase student understanding of how coastal habitats and scientific research enhance quality of life, promote sustainability of coastal resources and help individuals make responsible decisions concerning coastal resources.

Response:

Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant-supported environmental centers in Mississippi and Alabama (Discovery Hall Programs, Environmental Studies Center and the Marine Education Center) implemented place-based experiential education programs of varying length (1-4 hours) for P-12 students. Specific program topics ranged from coastal ecology to marine technology and included the practice of science, technology, engineering and math skills. These experiential programs were developed with explicit reference to national and state educational standards and ocean literacy principles.

Results:

MASGC-supported environmental education programs resulted in 66,618 P-12 students actively engaged in field experiences aboard boats, in coastal habitats with wildlife, studying coastal problems or using tools. Pre- and post-testing of students participating in these programs demonstrated statistically significant increases in content knowledge (DHP - 6 classes: n=2,212, p<0.001, average gain 30%) (ESC - Project SEA ICE: n=386, average gain 36%) (MEC - summer camps: n=331, average gain 25%).

Recap:

More than 66,000 students increased their understanding of healthy coastal ecosystems, fisheries and resilience; and improved their STEM skills by participating in Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium-supported field-based experiential environmental education programs at Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Discovery Hall Programs, Mobile County Public School's Environmental Studies Center, and The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Lab's Marine Education Center. (2019)