# Fostering climate hopefulness: A synthesis study of the impacts of outdoor environmental education programs

> **NSF 04002526DB NSF STEM Education** · BSCS Science Learning (CO) · $497,829

## Abstract

This project, led by BSCS Science Learning with partners NatureBridge and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), will conduct a research synthesis study to understand the extent, range, and nature of existing literature outdoor and nature-based environmental education programs, including the impacts of outdoor environmental program designs, professional learning, and pedagogical practices on educators and youth participant outcomes over a thirty-year period (1994-2024), and highlighting the role of climate-related emotions. The research will be broadly disseminated and communicated in multiple formats tailored to reach the many value holders of environmental education programs: outdoor educators, practitioners, researchers, scientists, leaders or policy makers and the general public.

This research synthesis study will provide new evidence and knowledge of the relationships among outdoor and nature-based environmental education programs, program design, pedagogical practices, and climate-related emotions of educators and youth participants. Using climate hopefulness as a guiding concept, the research synthesis will review published articles and literature across multiple fields related to environmental education over a thirty-year period. The contributions will be identification of gaps in current research, theories of change, critical insights and leverage points where informal STEM and outdoor environmental educational programs have had an inf

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2517131
- **Awardee organization:** BSCS Science Learning (CO)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** DA1EFNZJ5D29
- **PI:** Emily M Harris
- **Primary program:** 04002526DB NSF STEM Education
- **All programs:** Translational Research, STEM Learning & Learning Environments, Broaden Particip STEM Resrch
- **Estimated total:** $497,829
- **Funds obligated:** $497,829
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 09/01/2025 → 08/31/2027

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2517131

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2517131, Fostering climate hopefulness: A synthesis study of the impacts of outdoor environmental education programs. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-06 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2517131. Licensed CC0.

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