Nature

Current Research Projects

  • Outdoors at School

    More and more we are realising the benefits of moving the child learning experience outdoors and away from technology. This project evaluates the impact of a local school “waste-to-plate” gardening program on young students school engagement, environmental attitudes and connectedness to nature.

    Mark Kohler

    Contact Mark for more information.

  • Roots and Shoots Resource Box for Schools Project

    This project evaluates the association between time spent outdoors with child school engagement, wellbeing and connection to nature. Data is collected as part of the amazing program run by the Jane Goodall Institute Australia, which provides a box of resources for primary schools across Australia aimed at educating students, and the community, via interactive and action-based programs about wildlife, the natural environment and challenges facing the planet.

    Mark Kohler
    James Forbes
    Andrew Wicking
    Peter Wicking

    For associated materials see here or check out the research report here.

    Contact Mark for more information.

  • Nature-based Learning, Resilience, and Internalising Symptoms

    This survey-based project investigates the relationship between nature-based learning and resilience, as predictors of academic performance and wellbeing in South Australian primary school children.

    Angela Osborn
    Mark Kohler
    Andrew Morris
    Jarrah Seager

    Contact Angela for more information.

  • Fractals in Nature and Attention

    The correlation between engaging with natural environments and attention restoration is well documented. The mechanisms that trigger this restoration has received less attention. This experimental study examines the role that fractal dimensions in visual images play in attention restoration.

    Andrew Morris
    Mark Kohler
    Daniel Sturman
    Tobias Loetscher Branka Spehar

    Contact Andrew for more information.