Section outline

  • DESCRIPTION: Increasing equitable access to nature boosts learning outcomes, reduces health disparities, and enhances quality of life. In this final module, you will explore strategies and policies working to prioritize nature access and integration within education, healthcare, and communities nationwide – and reflect on how you can help spread these seeds of change in your own communities and practice.

    This module includes the following sections: 

    OBJECTIVES: After completing this module, you should be able to:

    • Understand the meaning of educational interventions and how to embed them into your lessons/programs.
    • Discover how these interventions can benefit students as well as the overall  learning community (the school, district, community, etc). Explore the challenges of equitable access to nature worldwide.

    BENCHMARK ASSESSMENT: You will be able to synthesize what you’ve learned and integrate it into your own community of practice by creating and submitting your final capstone project. 

    MODULE FOUR ASSIGNMENTS: The following assignments will be required to complete for each lesson found in this module. In addition to the lessons, you will work to finish your final capstone project by completing the Building Your Capstone Module Four Assignment. To complete these assignments, answer the following questions within your copy of your Course Journal. All assignments are also found within the course journal - making it easy to follow along. Before you begin the module, you may find it helpful to see the reflection questions below ahead of time. 

    LESSON ONE

    In your course journal, please reflect on the following questions:

    • In the 3rd module you did an initial assessment of at least 5 methods/tools for positively impacting wellness for your students through your lessons/programs. As you wrap up working through the course, we encourage you to reflect deeply on your personal relationship with the natural world, if your understanding of our interconnection has deepened or changed, and how you might integrate this understanding by adding interventions into your practice.
      • To review, list your 5 methods in your Course Journal; refine your list and add more if you choose.

    LESSON TWO

    In your course journal, please reflect on the following questions:

    • Now that you have explored the benefits of nature on learning outcomes, how outdoor learning and the greening of schools improves wellness, and trends toward adding nature experiences as therapeutic strategies, reflect on the following in this journal:

    o   How has time in nature changed in your life/community since you were a young child in school?

    o   How are you witnessing changes in educational approaches that include outdoor learning/nature connections?

    o   How can your students connect with nature no matter their zip code? How can students benefit from the natural world no matter where they live?

    LESSON FOUR

    In your course journal, please reflect on the following questions:

    • When we started this journey, you answered the following questions in your course journal:
      • What are you hoping to get out of this course?
      • are five questions you have about Nature & Human Wellness?
      • Of these five questions, which one connects or relates the most with your current work/community/ee practices?
    • As you wrap up working through the course, we encourage you to reflect deeply on:
      • How has your personal relationship with the natural world expanded or changed?
      • How has your understanding of our interconnection with nature deepened or changed?
      • How might you integrate this understanding into your practice?

    FINAL CAPSTONE PROJECT

    Submit your final capstone project. For a reminder of the full description of the capstone project requirements, click here.