Connecting With Nature
Podcasts
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12English Language Arts, Health
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by This Teenage Life
What it is
- In this podcast episode from This Teenage Life, students will hear about the positive affect of nature on the mental health of teens, access to nature, and the importance of getting outside.
- This episode is about 15 minutes long and features a variety of student perspectives from around the world.
Teaching tips
Positives
- Students will love hearing from other young people they can relate to, especially those from diverse backgrounds.
- This is a short podcast episode that students can easily listen to and discuss within one class period.
Prerequisites
- It may benefit students to understand air pollution and the differences between urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Language arts students can practice using descriptive imagery by writing poems or brief passages about their favorite places in nature.
- Teachers can connect this episode to climate change by discussing connecting with nature as a solution for dealing with climate anxiety. Alternatively, students can discuss the importance of preserving these natural spaces for their impact on our mental health, as a source of biodiversity, a way to reduce greenhouse gases, and for the other ecosystem services they provide.
- After listening, teachers can take students to a nearby green space and have them journal about how they feel when they are there.
From the scientist review
This resource highlights the psychological benefits of connecting with nature, as well as the challenges of accessing nature for many people. Presented through the voices of several teenagers, this podcast presents a diverse look at access to nature. The necessity of connecting to nature builds a strong case for environmental justice and sustainability. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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Hosted on thisteenagelife.org
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