Environmental education at Kwantlen Polytechnic University: Hidden curriculum, informal learning of Pro-environmental Values

The purpose of this study was to identify if and how the hidden curriculum (informal teaching and learning) on Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) campuses influences students’ pro-environmental behaviour and ideas. The study aims to make the invisible visible. A phenomenographic approach involved interviewing 14 KPU students, individually, to collect their perceptions of pro-environmental examples on campus, and potential improvements. I grouped data from interviews into themes and also incorporated the lens of environmental worldviews into my analysis of the results. Consequent recommendations to KPU and post-secondary counterparts include environmental communications incorporating understanding of different worldviews, efforts to move towards zero-waste (making green behaviour convenient) as well as fostering stronger community and student sense of belonging. It is hoped the KPU community, as well as other post-secondary institutions, can better model environmentally responsible practices on all campuses to positively influence environmental literacy and pro-environmental values of students.

Author dc:creator

• Drury, Melissa, Champagne

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Takach, Geo

• School of environment and sustainability

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/ir-19740

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/28115