Applied Environmental Education & Communication

Blanken, Tessa F.; Meijers, Marijn H. C.; Boerman, Sophie C.

doi: 10.1080/1533015X.2026.2644306pmid: N/A

Abstract An experimental field study among 8- to 16-year-old children tested the effectiveness of short educational videos on attitudes, intentions, and behavior regarding plastic consumption. Participants (N = 418) viewed a control, an information-only, or an information + efficacy appeal video while playing a game at a science museum. Children in the information-only condition reported higher concern, whereas children in the information + efficacy appeal condition reported stronger participatory efficacy beliefs. Effects on attitudes, intentions, and actual behavior were largely absent, whereas the information + efficacy appeal video affected virtual behavior. Given children’s frequent exposure to (online) videos, these hold potential for environmental engagement.

Grúňová, Markéta; Hejcmanová, Pavla

doi: 10.1080/1533015X.2026.2659707pmid: N/A

Abstract Short-duration environmental education programmes come with costs both on human and financial resources. We evaluated a two-day environmental education programme for primary schoolchildren (n = 303, age = 12 years) in Senegal, comparing classroom-based learning (n = 135) with nature reserve excursion (n = 168). We assessed changes in environmental knowledge and conservation attitudes through pre-, post-, and one-year follow-up surveys. While children showed lasting knowledge gains, attitudinal shifts were modest and selective. No additional benefit was found from the nature visit; both groups achieved similar outcomes. These findings provide quasi-experimental evidence that contributes to the literature questioning the assumption that short-term nature exposure inherently enhances educational outcomes.

Chang, Yu-Jie; Chang, Yu-Sen; Yu, Tai-Yi; Ko, Hsin-Yu

doi: 10.1080/1533015X.2026.2660127pmid: N/A

Abstract To address challenges in low-carbon diet education, this study developed and evaluated the ‘EcoFood Challenge’ board game in an exploratory two-phase trial. It was tested with Taiwanese university students in two phases (Phase 1: n = 32 with educational materials; Phase 2: n = 29 with the board game). The game produced approximately a 39% improvement in complex dietary decision-making accuracy (p < .001), a substantially larger gain than observed in Phase 1, and both interventions increased LCA awareness. This pilot study demonstrates that the game is a practical tool for environmental educators, providing actionable insights for fostering pro-environmental behaviors.

Tobar, Ligia; Gutiérrez, Cesar Augusto; Villa García, Leidy Yurani; Pelegrín, Jonathan S.

doi: 10.1080/1533015X.2026.2660135pmid: N/A

Abstract This study examined how a school garden in Vijes, Colombia, functions as a habitat for pollinators and a space for experiential education. Primary school students recorded 208 floral visits in four plots (ornamental, medicinal, fruit, and crop) in three weeks, with limited observation time. Activity was dominated by Tetragonisca angustula (49%) Apis mellifera (36%). Pollinators mainly visited the ornamental plot, particularly Zinnia peruviana, and Cucurbita maxima in the crop plot. Participation in monitoring fostered ecological awareness, teamwork, and biodiversity appreciation. The project shows how citizen science approaches can transform school gardens into living laboratories for biodiversity conservation and sustainability education.