Actively Recruiting
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
Led by Université de Sherbrooke · Updated on 2025-12-31
1000
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
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 children's 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 Québec's 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.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
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
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Primary schools must have a deprivation index of 1 or higher
- Schools must be located in Montreal, Longueuil, or Laval (QC)
- Teachers must show interest in outdoor education
- Only 5th and 6th grade teachers are included
- Primary schools must have two teachers interested in participating
You will not qualify if you...
- Alternative schools are not included
- Schools welcoming recently arrived non-Francophone students are excluded
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 screening and enrollment visit (in-person)
Duration - 5 weeks
Participants receive life science lessons 2 hours per week for 5 weeks either outdoors or indoors following Québec's mandatory curriculum.
Weekly sessions for 5 weeks
Duration - 1 day plus immediate post-intervention assessments
Participants complete assessments immediately after the 5-week intervention and one day in a novel environmental context to evaluate learning and well-being outcomes.
1 follow-up visit (in-person) and 1 assessment day
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Greater Montreal area (Laval, Longueuil, Montreal)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
G
Gabriela Quintela Do Carmo
J
Jean-Philippe Ayotte-Beaudet
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
2
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