How can environmental education foster a sense of awe and wonder in learners of all ages?

1 What is awe and wonder?

Awe and wonder are complex emotions that involve feeling amazed, curious, and humbled by something that transcends our ordinary expectations or understanding. Awe and wonder can be triggered by natural phenomena, such as a rainbow, a sunset, or a starry sky, as well as by human creations, such as art, music, or architecture. Awe and wonder can also be influenced by our cultural, personal, and spiritual beliefs and values. Awe and wonder can have positive effects on our mood, cognition, creativity, and social relationships, as well as on our sense of meaning and purpose in life.

2 How can environmental education foster awe and wonder?

Environmental education can foster awe and wonder by providing learners with opportunities to experience, observe, and explore the natural world in diverse and engaging ways. For example, environmental education can involve outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, gardening, or wildlife watching, that expose learners to the beauty, diversity, and complexity of nature. Environmental education can also involve indoor activities, such as reading, writing, drawing, or experimenting, that stimulate learners' imagination, curiosity, and inquiry about nature. Environmental education can also encourage learners to reflect on their personal and collective relationships with nature, and to express their feelings, thoughts, and values through various forms of communication, such as storytelling, poetry, art, or music.

3 Why is awe and wonder important for learners of all ages?

Awe and wonder are important for learners of all ages because they can enhance their well-being, learning, and spirituality. Awe and wonder can boost learners' well-being by reducing stress, increasing happiness, and fostering gratitude and compassion. Awe and wonder can also enhance learners' learning by stimulating their interest, motivation, and memory, and by promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Awe and wonder can also deepen learners' spirituality by connecting them to something larger than themselves, such as nature, humanity, or a higher power, and by inspiring them to seek meaning and purpose in their lives.

4 How can awe and wonder support environmental literacy and action?

Awe and wonder can support environmental literacy and action by increasing learners' awareness, knowledge, and skills related to environmental issues and solutions. Awe and wonder can also foster learners' attitudes, values, and behaviors that are conducive to environmental stewardship and sustainability. For instance, awe and wonder can help learners to appreciate the intrinsic value of nature, to empathize with other living beings, to recognize the interdependence of all life forms, and to take responsibility for their environmental impacts. Awe and wonder can also motivate learners to take action for environmental protection and restoration, such as by joining environmental groups, volunteering for conservation projects, or advocating for environmental policies.

5 How can educators incorporate awe and wonder into environmental education?

Educators can incorporate awe and wonder into environmental education by designing and facilitating learning experiences that are relevant, meaningful, and enjoyable for learners of all ages. Educators can also model and cultivate awe and wonder in themselves and in their learners by expressing their enthusiasm, curiosity, and admiration for nature, by asking open-ended questions, by sharing stories and insights, by providing feedback and guidance, and by creating a supportive and respectful learning environment. Educators can also use various pedagogical strategies and tools, such as inquiry-based learning, experiential learning, place-based learning, artistic expression, mindfulness, and reflection, to enhance awe and wonder in environmental education.

6 How can learners cultivate awe and wonder in their everyday lives?

Learners can cultivate awe and wonder in their everyday lives by seeking out and appreciating the natural wonders that surround them, by exploring new places and perspectives, by learning new things and skills, by expressing their creativity and emotions, by engaging in meaningful activities and relationships, and by practicing gratitude and compassion. Learners can also cultivate awe and wonder by being open-minded, curious, and humble, by challenging their assumptions and biases, by embracing uncertainty and diversity, by acknowledging their limitations and potentials, and by finding joy and inspiration in the ordinary and the extraordinary.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?