Abstract
Integrating the built environment of the school is one avenue to deliver place-based energy education connecting abstract ideas with the physical environment. This study examined how and if an outdoor classroom (learnscape) with solar panels together with a six-week renewable energy unit supported students in developing conceptual knowledge of energy systems. Fourth grade classrooms from two schools, one with a learnscape and one without, within the same district enacted the unit. Student learning gains (n=97) were measured through model-based reasoning at four time points before, during, and after the unit. Students (n=12) were interviewed about their models. Students in both schools identified the main system components and sequences. However, learnscape students exhibited a more nuanced understanding of solar energy systems and explicitly cited the learnscape as a “teaching tool” for energy education. Findings suggest that the presence of sustainability features on the school campus can enhance student learning outcomes.
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Article Type: Research Article
INTERDISCIP J ENV SCI ED, Volume 19, Issue 1, 2023, Article No: e2305
https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/13034
Publication date: 06 Mar 2023
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Article Downloads: 1228
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How to cite this article
APA
Cole, L. B., Fallahhosseini, S., Zangori, L., & Oertli, R. T. (2023). Learnscapes for renewable energy education: An exploration of elementary student understanding of solar energy systems. Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 19(1), e2305. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/13034
Vancouver
Cole LB, Fallahhosseini S, Zangori L, Oertli RT. Learnscapes for renewable energy education: An exploration of elementary student understanding of solar energy systems. INTERDISCIP J ENV SCI ED. 2023;19(1):e2305. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/13034
AMA
Cole LB, Fallahhosseini S, Zangori L, Oertli RT. Learnscapes for renewable energy education: An exploration of elementary student understanding of solar energy systems. INTERDISCIP J ENV SCI ED. 2023;19(1), e2305. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/13034
Chicago
Cole, Laura Brianna, Sepideh Fallahhosseini, Laura Zangori, and R. Tanner Oertli. "Learnscapes for renewable energy education: An exploration of elementary student understanding of solar energy systems". Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education 2023 19 no. 1 (2023): e2305. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/13034
Harvard
Cole, L. B., Fallahhosseini, S., Zangori, L., and Oertli, R. T. (2023). Learnscapes for renewable energy education: An exploration of elementary student understanding of solar energy systems. Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 19(1), e2305. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/13034
MLA
Cole, Laura Brianna et al. "Learnscapes for renewable energy education: An exploration of elementary student understanding of solar energy systems". Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental and Science Education, vol. 19, no. 1, 2023, e2305. https://doi.org/10.29333/ijese/13034