User:Aebeisch/Sandbox
Many museums dedicated to sustainability and conservation education often utilize theorist like Richard Louv and David Sobel to find the most effective ways to motivate their audiences to conservation action. For instance, Disney's Animal Kingdom cites Richard Louv's Nature Deficit Disorder as one justification for their Kids' Discovery Clubs, which focuses on encouraging children to not only learn about animals, but also find out what they can do for wildlife.[1] Many museums also approach sustainability issues with Ecophobia in mind. Ecophobia is David Sobel's theory that if you introduce abstract and difficult environmental issues to children at too early of an age, and with out the proper background knowledge, they will retreat from nature. [2] An example of a museum attempting to overcome Ecophobia would be one that promotes a love of nature and presents options of actions guests can take to help the environment before presenting them with more controversial and abstract environmental and sustainability issues. The Brooklyn Children's Museums respects the developmental stages of children by using their LEED certified building to teach children and their families about environmental conservation through interactive age appropriate exhibits and activities.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ Balavage, S. Dr. Heimlich, J. Kocanjer, N. Lehnhardt, K. Dr. Mellen, J. Assessing young Children's Learning within an informal setting at Disney's Kid's Discovery Clubs, IZE Journal NR. 25 - 2009
- ^ Diane M McKnight. 2010. Overcoming “ecophobia”: fostering environmental empathy through narrative in children's science literature. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 8: e10–e15.
- ^ Biodiversity. The Broocklyn Children's Museum Goes Green. May-June 2004.
Article on Richard Louv http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/336476/kids-should-experience-nature-more
Article about David Sobel and Ecophobia: http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/education-for-life/803