Study Comparing Outdoor and Indoor Science Education in Primary Schools to Improve Learning and Well-being

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether outdoor science education can improve primary school students learning and well-being compared to indoor classroom-based science education. The study focuses on whether students learning outdoors produce higher-quality observations of living organisms and whether outdoor education affects childrens connection to nature, eco-anxiety, and stress. The trial is a randomized controlled study involving 5th and 6th grade students. Participants will receive science lessons following Qubecs mandatory curriculum for 2 hours per week over 5 weeks. One group will have lessons outdoors, while the other will have lessons indoors. After the 5-week intervention, all students will participate in a field day trip to observe living organisms in a new natural environment. During the study, students will complete questionnaires before and after the intervention to assess factors such as connection to nature, perceived stress, eco-anxiety, and psychological needs satisfaction. The primary outcome is the quality of scientific observations made in a novel outdoor setting after the intervention. The total participation involves 5 weeks of lessons plus the follow-up observation day.

Outdoor Science Education and Child Well-being in Primary Schools: Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial on Learning, Connection to Nature, Eco-anxiety, and Stress