Nature-based Education Certificate

Frequently asked questions about Hamline's Nature-based Education Certificate

• I teach in an urban school. Does nature-based education make sense for my students?

  Absolutely! No matter where your school is located, you'll learn to effectively use nature as a context for addressing academic standards, supporting students' growth and development, improving engagement, and increasing well-being and connection to nature. 

  In this program, you’ll learn to identify the strengths of your school’s location, and discover resources to engage students in nature in a variety of ways. You'll come away with the knowledge that urban environments are just as conducive to nature-based education as rural or forested areas, with benefits to student outcomes even more pronounced in underserved areas.

  Read an interview with one of our program leaders, Dr Cathy Jordan, as she explains how access to nature (in the form of green schoolyards or nature-based learning) can level the playing field for children from these communities. 

  Learn more about environmental education in urban settings at naaee.org.

• What grade-level are these methods intended for?

  Educators working with students pre-K through grade 6 will be most at home in our program.

• What's the difference between Hamline's Nature-based Education Certificate, its Environmental Education Certificate, and its Nature-based Early Learning Certificate?

  Hamline's Nature-based Education Certificate is perfect for those who work in classroom or school settings. Designed for teachers, specialists, and administrators who work with elementary-aged learners, the content focuses on pedagogical approaches, social-emotional learning, academic standards, and contemporary issues in school settings.

  Our Nature-based Early Learning Certificate is ideal for those who work with young learners (roughly age 2 to 9) in formal or nonformal settings, including parks, museums, nature centers, zoos, and early learning programs. Its focus is on developmentally appropriate practice, theories and models of early childhood nature education

  Finally, the Environmental Education Certificate focuses on natural science content and pedagogy. This certificate is appropriate for educators working in a variety of settings and with learners of many different ages.

• How will this certificate help me grow as a professional?

  In recent years, the body of research supporting nature-based education for children in school settings has grown. Consistently, nature-based education settings have been associated with improved engagement, academic outcomes, and well-being for students. With a certificate in nature-based education, you’ll be positioned to be a leader in your school setting, seamlessly integrating disciplines while addressing academic standards using nature as the context. Your students will be more engaged, more attentive, and more successful — both inside and outside the classroom.

  What’s more, almost 90% teachers who have participated in Hamline’s Teacher Field School (an integral part of this certificate) report increased job satisfaction and joy in teaching.

• My school or district requires that I use a prescribed curriculum. Is nature-based education right for me?

  Yes! In fact, many of the teachers we work with apply nature-based education directly to their district’s curriculum or packaged kits. You’ll learn where, when, and how to adjust and adapt your existing curriculum to include or align with nature-based education in ways that make sense for your setting and your students, allowing you to meet district expectations while using these methods to reach academic standards and learning targets.

• How well does nature-based education support students with special needs?

  Research shows that nature-based education can be a powerful, positive intervention for children with special needs and behavioral difficulties. Our Teacher Field School was developed with feedback and support from special education researchers and administrators, as well as teachers who work with children with special needs every day. You’ll use the latest research to learn and practice using nature-based education to support all the children in your classroom.