Project Lead: Sara Harris (Professor of Teaching, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences)
Co-Leads: Abhirami Senthilkumaran (Honorary Research Associate, Forestry); Fernanda Tomaselli (Assistant Professor of
Teaching, Forestry); Tara Ivanochko (Professor of Teaching, Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences)
Project Description
We propose to create a validated instrument to measure self-efficacy, agency, and action related to the climate crisis, among students in Environmental Science (ENSC), Forestry (CONS 210), and the Certificate in Climate Studies and Action. Each of these programs/courses has climate-action-related goals and learning opportunities. Self-efficacy (belief in one’s ability to make a difference) and agency (sense of control over one’s actions) are ingredients for action. This instrument will allow us to relate these three constructs within this population, track changes in student reports over time, and iteratively evaluate and improve the learning opportunities we provide.
Research Questions
- Does our climate efficacy-agency-action instrument reliably measure these three constructs?
- What do students in these disciplines report for their self-efficacy, agency, and action to address climate change, both as baseline measures and change over time as they move through programs? How do self-efficacy, agency, and action inter-relate in this population of students?
- Are the learning opportunities we provide helpful for students to move toward climate action?