A Review of Research on the Effectiveness of Environmental Education in Promoting Intergenerational Learning

How to design environmental education (EE) programs in ways that encourage children to influence the environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of adults has intrigued researchers for more than a decade. The authors review and synthesize results from 7 studies that sought to answer this question. The studies reviewed were conducted between 1992 and 2003 in England, Costa Rica, Australia, Canada, and the United States. All of the studies involved formal K—12 EE programs that ranged from a 1.5-hr program on endangered species to a 1-year program integrating ecological concepts throughout the curriculum. Based on these studies, the authors identify several factors that contribute to intergenerational learning, including actively involving parents in student activities and focusing on local environmental issues.