Thinking About Thinking About Nature Christina P. Colon, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Biological Sciences Kingsborough Community College City University of New York Brooklyn, New York

Background Still in my first year Still in my first year Urban inner-city two year college Urban inner-city two year college High minority, immigrant, ESL, returning High minority, immigrant, ESL, returning Bio 53 - Ecology Bio 53 - Ecology Biology majors elective Never taught before Bio 49 – People and Environment Bio 49 – People and Environment Non-majors science elective Taught once

A “What Is” Question What do my students think/feel about nature? Does that change after taking my class Do they care and/or worry? Do they value nature? Do they see its relevance to them? Do they want to learn more? Do they want to do more?

Questionable Methodologies.. Collaborate with Science Education faculty Collaborate with Science Education faculty Anonymous pre and post class surveys Anonymous pre and post class surveys Capture demographics Capture demographics Likert scale and Word bank Likert scale and Word bank Open ended questions: Open ended questions: The word nature makes me think of….. Nature is important to society because…. Nature is relevant to me because… Who is responsible for taking care of nature?

Does class seating arrangement impact attendance, retention, or participation? Circular Logic??