Title: Nature & Human Wellness eeCourse Road Map
Course: Nature & Human Wellness eeCourse > Section: Module 1: Course Introduction

In this section, you will be introduced to the course overview - including descriptions of each module, course tools, and the final capstone project.

Course Road Map

This course was designed to provide you with a broad foundational understanding of the science behind our interconnection with the natural world. This is done intentionally by scaffolding foundational theory and frameworks of our interconnection through the following three different modules.

TASK: Read over the following module descriptions, including the course module image found below.

Module 2: Biological Foundations to Nature & Human Interconnection

Our Deep Biological Roots

Analogous to a living plant, Module 2 will walk you through our deep biological roots of interconnection - providing historical and foundational perspective for why nature is essential to our health.

Module 3: Impact of Nature on Human Health & Development

Nature Nourishes Us

With this understanding, you’ll move through Module 3 where you’ll learn specific mechanisms and pathways exploring how nature supports our growth and development - much like the leaves of the plant support its growth and health throughout its lifetime.

Module 4: Leveraging our Interconnection: Strategies & Implementation

Spreading Seeds of Change

Lastly, in Module 4  you will learn specific strategies and policies that are working towards centering nature connection as a critical indicator of learning and health outcomes. Much like the seeds produced by a flower, these strategies are offered to help you integrate what you’ve learned from the course, and empower you to plant and cultivate the seeds of nature connection  into your own community of practice.

Course Materials

Throughout this course, you will use a course journal google doc to record your answers and reflections for each assignment. You will also be asked to work on and complete a final capstone project before the completion of the course. Please look over the following tasks to prepare yourself for engaging with the content found in this course.

TASK: Save your own copy of the Course Journal by following these steps:

- Open up the Course Journal found here.
- Save a copy of the journal EITHER
  - As your own google doc file
    - Select "File", then "Make a Copy"
  - As a word document
    - Select "File", then "Download" and select the word document format
  - Save your new course journal file with your full name then course journal:
    - Full Name Course Journal (ex. Amber Schiltz Course Journal)
- All assignments, questions, and reflections will be found in this journal. Please use the copy of your course journal to complete all assignments, share your reflections to course questions.

TASK: View course Course Rubric

Capstone Project

As a final Capstone Project, you will integrate what you learned from this course by creating a final project designed to help you advocate for the importance of our interconnection with the natural world within your own communities and practice. Throughout each module, you will complete assignments that refer back to this capstone project - and will help scaffold your thinking and completion of this project.

TASK: Read below to learn more about the final Capstone Project for this course. The full Capstone Project Description can also be found hereif you'd like to save this document for future reference.

Your project can be specific to your particular interest within the intersection of nature and human wellness, and should aim to include the following:

- Integrates some of the science, theories, or benefits you learned about throughout this course around the importance of human and nature connection
- Tells a story - people who see your final product will walk away with a deeper understanding of the link between nature and health
- Provides/suggests actionable items to increase nature access and connection within your particular practice or community
- Incorporates your specific interest, passion, or expertise in the broad field of human and nature connection
- Meets the standards of your practice (example, lesson plan aligns with state standards, action plan aligns with community engagement best practices, etc)

Your final capstone project can take on whatever form or template works best for you, considering your interests, goals, and settings. Example templates can include any of the following to help you synthesize your learning and share the message of the benefits of nature to humans:

- Creating an infographic
- Creating a slideshow presentation
- Creating a lesson plan designed to foster nature connection for health and wellness
- Creating an action plan or nature wellness kit for increasing nature-based interventions in your community of practice
- Writing a science communication article, breaking down the science of a particular concept within nature and human connection, and providing strategies to viewers to increase their nature connection

Upon completion of each module, you will be prompted to add to your capstone project with guiding questions and capstone related assignments. Your capstone project will need to be submitted by the end of the course date in order to receive your course certificate. It’s important to note - rather than being busy work, we hope that this project will be a meaningful tangible product you can create during this course and use to improve your own community of practice. Because of this, please reach out to your moderators with any questions or thoughts you may have regarding your specific capstone project along the way. The course was designed to empower you with knowledge and strategies for increasing nature connection, and we’re here to support your efforts!

Journal Reflection

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

- What are you hoping to get out of this course?

- What are five questions you have about Nature & Human Wellness?

- Of these five questions listed above, which one connects or relates the most with your current work/community/EE practices?