Title: Nature & Human Wellness eeCourse Description
Course: Nature & Human Wellness eeCourse

Nature & Human Wellness eeCourse Description

Welcome to the Nature & Human Wellness eeCourse! This course will provide you with a foundation of the knowledge and the theory, as well as the evidence and interdisciplinary research, on the important link between nature and human wellness. Throughout the course, you will be introduced to the science of our interconnection with the natural world and receive an overview of the emerging field of studies indicating the important role nature plays in the healthy development of the whole child (physical, mental and behavioral) and their continued wellness into adulthood. Additionally, participants will learn to identify strategies of leveraging nature’s positive impact on wellness to drive positive changes in policy and practices in schools and community centers.

Objectives and Expectations: By the end of this course, you will be able to:

- Describe the deep biological roots that connect human health to the natural world.
- Summarize at least three leading scientific theories describing nature’s positive effects on human health and well-being.
- Identify at least three evidence-based ways nature supports healthy child development.
- Identify at least five evidence-based ways nature supports our physical and mental health.
- Summarize important strategies for using nature-based interventions to improve learning and health outcomes.
- Identify opportunities for increasing nature-based intervention strategies relevant to your community and practice.
- Use effective language, advocacy tools, and resources to build your case for increasing nature access in your education systems or community.

As a student of this course, it is expected that you:

- Commit to the time required to complete all readings, assignments, and assessments (estimated to be 2-4 hours per week).
- Use appropriate grammar and mechanics throughout the course.
- Input appropriate answers and responses in the Course Journal. Complete Modules 1-4 and their associated assignments, as well as submit the final course assessment.
- You will have 8 weeks to complete the course upon enrollment.

Grading

- Periodic assessments throughout each module must be completed with at least 80% accuracy or a score of 2 as indicated on the scoring guide provided.
- To receive a certificate of completion, you must complete all assignments and receive the scores as indicated above.

Important Dates

While you may work at your own pace, we suggest adhering to the following schedule to complete all modules on time:

Module 1: Course Introduction

- Suggested Time: One Week
- Suggested Completion: Aug 5, 2024

Module 2: Biological Foundations to Nature & Human Interconnection

- Suggested Time: 3 Weeks
- Suggested Completion: Aug 26, 2024

Module 3: Impact of Nature on Human Health & Development

- Suggested Time: 3 Weeks
- Suggested Completion: Sep 16, 2024

Module 4: Leveraging our Interconnection: Strategies & Implementation

- Suggested Time: 1 Week
- Final Course Completion: Sep 23, 2024

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.

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.

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.

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!

Meet Your Course Moderator

You will have one moderator for this course.  The moderator is here to review your assignments and provide scores and feedback. Below you're find information on your moderator, including contact information should you have any questions or concerns.

Amber Schiltz

Executive Director, Nebraska Alliance for Conservation & Environmental Education

amber@nacee.org

Course Credentials

This course was developed collaboratively between Nebraska Alliance for Conservation and Environmental Education (NACEE) and Missouri Environmental Education Association (MEEA), with funding made possible by the North American Association of Environmental Education’s ee360 Grant Program, supported by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Amber Schiltz, NACEE Executive Director and Jamin Bray, MEEA Co-Director served as the main course developers/writers. The course was reviewed by a team of experts in environmental education, environmental psychology, neuroscience and biology, including the following:

- Katie Navin, Executive Director - Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
- Laura Downey, Executive Director - Kansas Association for Conservation & Environmental Education
- Dr. Susan Masino, Neuroscientist/Professor of Applied Sciences - Trinity College
- Dr. Brent Jackson, Assistant Professor of Environmental Education in the Department of Ecology and Environmental Studies at Florida Gulf Coast University
- Dr. Liz VanWormer, Veterinary Epidemiologist/Associate Professor/Director of One Health - University of Nebraska - Lincoln
- Jamila Bajelan- NACEE Board Treasurer
- Lesli Moylan - Co-Director - Missouri Environmental Education Association