Connecting Nature and Youth: developing LNT educational material for Argentine Youth
Stillman, Lyra; Menéndez, Francisco (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025091524714
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025091524714
Tiivistelmä
This bachelor´s thesis addresses the need for effective Leave No Trace (LNT) educational materials for youth in Argentinian outdoor education. Effective environmental education requires material that are both engaging and contextually relevant. The LNT principles provide a vital framework for promoting responsible outdoor recreation, yet there is a need for accessible LNT resources tailored for youth in Argentinian outdoor education settings. This thesis, using a Design-Based Research (DBR) approach, aimed to develop, pilot, and evaluate educational material to teach LNT principles to youth at the La Lucena Environmental Learning Center in Argentina.
This project began with the development of educational posters, a methodological adaptation from an initial workshop design due to logistical constraints encountered in the field. A mixed-methods approach was used for evaluation, combining a quantitative survey to assess baseline knowledge and the posters´effectiveness, with qualitative participant observation to gather contextual insights into learner engagement and comprehension.
The findings indicate that the educational posters were a successful tool for increasing participants´understanding of LNT principles. The survey revealed a significiant improvement in knowledge post-intervention, while observational data highlighted strong visual engagement with the material and provided critical feedback for specific design improvements. This thesis contributes a practical, validated educational resource and highlights the importance of methodological adaptability in real-world program development. The findings offer actionable recommendations for La Lucena ELC and similar outdoors education centers seeking to integrate LNT education.
This project began with the development of educational posters, a methodological adaptation from an initial workshop design due to logistical constraints encountered in the field. A mixed-methods approach was used for evaluation, combining a quantitative survey to assess baseline knowledge and the posters´effectiveness, with qualitative participant observation to gather contextual insights into learner engagement and comprehension.
The findings indicate that the educational posters were a successful tool for increasing participants´understanding of LNT principles. The survey revealed a significiant improvement in knowledge post-intervention, while observational data highlighted strong visual engagement with the material and provided critical feedback for specific design improvements. This thesis contributes a practical, validated educational resource and highlights the importance of methodological adaptability in real-world program development. The findings offer actionable recommendations for La Lucena ELC and similar outdoors education centers seeking to integrate LNT education.