Road to collaboration: Experiential learning theory as a framework for environmental education program development

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate an existing environmental education program involving a partnership between formal and nonformal educators. The outcomes of this study support the use of an outdoor field trip as an effective teaching strategy in positively changing students’ beliefs about the environment. This study also proposes Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory as a framework and pedagogical basis for designing, implementing, and assessing effective outdoor field trips.