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Beyond the classroom: Influence of a sustainability intervention on university students’ environmental knowledge and behaviors

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Abstract

On college campuses, environmental science education largely takes place in classrooms, thereby limiting impact on the full student body. By implementing an educational intervention in an informal campus setting, this study tested an approach aimed at expanding the reach of environmental learning. Students at a mid-size Midwestern university were exposed to a food-focused environmental and climate education intervention consisting of sustainability trivia and marketing materials displayed in dining halls. Prior to exposure, students completed a pre-test, followed by a 5-week intervention, then a post-test. Comparing correct responses between pre-test and post-test, we found a significant increase in environmental and climate impact knowledge. The intervention was especially effective for women such that knowledge increased significantly more among women than among men. Additionally, we found a significant decrease in red meat consumption post-intervention. There were no significant differences between major categories or race and ethnicity. Results indicate that sustainability interventions implemented outside classrooms can be effective. Emphasizing connections between environmental health and sustainable food choices is important in improving students’ environmental awareness.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Karen Schauwecker, former SIUC Sustainability Director, for her support in creating this intervention and helping collect data. The authors would also like to thank Peggy Connors, Director of Culinary & Nutrition Services, and her Nutrition Team for implementing this intervention in the dining halls and helping collect data for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Human Sciences, College of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Quigley Hall 213D, Mail Code 4310, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA

    Dawn Christina Null

  2. School of Earth Systems and Sustainability, College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 4520 Faner Hall, Mail Code 4514, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA

    Kristin F Hurst

  3. School of Earth Systems and Sustainability, College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 4520 Faner Hall, Mail Code 4514, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA

    Leslie A Duram

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  1. Dawn Christina Null
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Correspondence to Dawn Christina Null.

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Appendix. Posters used in intervention, along with the percentage of participants who indicated a preference for each poster

Appendix. Posters used in intervention, along with the percentage of participants who indicated a preference for each poster

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Null, D.C., Hurst, K.F. & Duram, L.A. Beyond the classroom: Influence of a sustainability intervention on university students’ environmental knowledge and behaviors. J Environ Stud Sci 14, 224–235 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13412-023-00882-1

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