Table 6.
Examples of St. Louis Public School Teacher and Nature-Based Education Mentor Responses to “Why Was the Nature-Based Education Intervention Beneficial to Your Students?“
| Theme | Sample quote | School | Grade working with | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enriched Educational Experience | ||||
| NBE makes students love science and look forward to practicing science, reading, and writing. It allows students to think outside of the classroom. | 1 | 8 | SLPS teacher | |
| It gives the students to learn in a fun and interactive way. | 2 | 6 | NBE mentor | |
| Increased Environmental Awareness | ||||
| NBE both teaches them environmental information that they may not be getting in their normal classes, makes them think about the world in a different way, and gives them a break from normal schoolwork in the day. | 2 | 6 | NBE mentor | |
| The students were able to learn about the environment and sustainability. This is information that they otherwise might not receive in school, even though it is very important to learn about. | 1 | 6 | NBE mentor | |
| The students were able to learn about the environment and sustainability. This is information that they otherwise might not receive in school, even though it is very important to learn about. | 2 | 6 | NBE mentor | |
| I think it's very beneficial to the students. On trips, they not only make meaningful experiences, but also develop connection to the outdoors that no textbook can provide. | 3 | 5 | NBE mentor | |
| Novel Experiences | ||||
| Yes, I think GGO is beneficial to the students because they got to see, try, and do things they've never done before… It's a good experience for the students and the teachers. | 3 | 5 | SLPS teacher | |
| Most of the time what we teach them or when we go on trips, they are doing things that they've never done before and seem genuinely interested. | 2 | 6 | NBE mentor | |
| Behavioral Change and Students Reaching Full Potential | ||||
| The students have a lot to say once you get them motivated. They are very smart, and this organization helps them realize their true potentials. | 2 | 6 | NBE mentor | |
| I can definitely see improvements in the students' behavior when learning inside the classroom and when learning outside during field trips. | 1 | 7 | NBE Mentor | |
| A great number of students talk about how much they learn and tell me how much the lessons have changed their perspectives. | 2 | 6 | NBE mentor | |
NBE, nature-based education; SLPS, St. Louis Public School.