Julie Ernst
Biographic Data
| ID | 6674269 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Julie Ernst |
| GIVEN NAMES | Julie |
| FAMILY NAME | Ernst |
| SIGNATURE | ERNST J |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Minnesota, Duluth |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-7203-3413 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 12 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 83 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 12 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2004 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Nurturing Empathy
Empathy, defined here as the knowledge and sharing of others' feelings (Knafo-Noam et al., 2009), is an essential competency that facilitates connection and compassionate action that is important to nurture in early childhood. Nature preschools have been found to be effective in fostering empathy in young children (Ernst et al., 2022), however it is unclear how the nature-preschool approach supports children's empathy development. Grounded in the…
Does Vocabulary Grow in Nature? Exploring the Impacts of Nature-Based Early Learning on Young Children's Receptive Vocabulary Development
This study examined the effect of nature-based practices on preschoolers' receptive vocabulary. We administered the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test to 134 children from 11 preschool classes at the beginning and end of the preschool year. Results suggest incorporating nature-based practices into preschool supported significant vocabulary growth, but that effectiveness varied by public vs. private school setting and children's socioeconomic status.…
Executive function in early childhood
This study examined the effect of nature-based practices on preschoolers’ executive function (EF). The Minnesota Executive Function Scale was administered to 147 children within one school district at the beginning and end of the preschool year. Results suggest incorporating nature-based practices into preschool was effective, as children in preschool classrooms where nature-based practices were used had significantly higher levels of EF at the e…
Zoos’ and Aquariums’ Impact and Influence on Connecting Families to Nature
Zoos and aquariums can be an instrumental avenue for connecting children to nature, thereby contributing to the development of conservation values and environmental stewardship. Survey data from 210 participants from nature play programs at 21 zoo and aquarium sites suggest visitors were more likely to spend time in nature in the future and felt better able to overcome barriers to spending time in nature as a result of their participation. Result…
Environmental action and student environmental leaders
The Student Climate and Conservation Congress (SC3) is a joint educational effort between the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Green Schools Alliance that aims to develop the next generation of conservation leaders through fostering action competence in youth. Data from SC3 participants was used to investigate four predictors of adult environmental behavior (environmental attitudes, locus of control, sense of personal responsibilit…
Exploring value orientations toward the human–nature relationship
Research exploring urban youths' value orientations toward the human–nature relationship was conducted with 59 students from a school in Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA) and 51 students from a school in Guangzhou, Guangdong (China). Quantitative findings suggest that the majority of participants in both groups shared a similar value orientation, harmony with nature. Qualitative findings, however, suggest youth had somewhat different value orientation…
Early childhood educators’ use of natural outdoor settings as learning environments
In efforts to encourage use of natural outdoor settings as learning environments within early childhood education, survey research was conducted with 46 early childhood educators from northern Minnesota (United States) to explore their beliefs and practices regarding natural outdoor settings, as well investigate predictors of and barriers to the educational use of these settings. Of the beliefs measured, only two were significantly related to fre…
Preservice early childhood educators’ perceptions of outdoor settings as learning environments
In the context of encouraging the use of natural settings for educational experiences with young children, an exploratory study using survey research and photographs of outdoor settings was conducted to understand how preservice early childhood educators perceive these settings and what educational opportunities, motivations, and barriers they associate with them. Based on the results of 110 participants, this study suggests preservice early chil…
Evaluating the effects of environmental education programming on connectedness to nature
With a growing movement to re-connect children to nature, an understanding of the ability of environmental education (EE) programs to foster connectedness to nature is needed. The purpose of this exploratory quantitative study is to determine the effect of seven EE programs on participants' connectedness to nature. Results from the 385 children who participated in this study suggest two of the programs may be associated with a significant increas…
Influences on US middle school teachers’ use of environment‐based education
The term environment‐based education (EBE) describes a form of school‐based environmental education in which an instructor uses the environment as a context for integrating subjects and a source of real world learning experiences. Despite the growing body of evidence that supports the educational efficacy of this instructional approach and its grounding in high‐quality environmental education, relatively few US teachers seem to practice EBE (Univ…
The Prairie Science Class
The Prairie Science Class, a partnership between Independent School District 544 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), uses a local prairie wetlands ecosystem as an integrating and motivating context to engage fifth-grade students in science, math, and writing through real world, field-based learning experiences. This article describes the Prairie Science Class and a research base for this educational ap…
The effects of environment‐based education on students' critical thinking skills and disposition toward critical thinking
This study examined the relationship between environment‐based education and high school students' critical thinking skills and disposition toward critical thinking. Four hundred four 9th and 12th grade students from 11 Florida high schools participated in the study. A Pretest‐Posttest Nonequivalent Comparison Group Design (9th grade) and a Posttest Only Nonequivalent Comparison Group Design (12th grade) were used. Interviews of students and teac…
Evaluating the effects of environmental education programming on connectedness to nature
With a growing movement to re-connect children to nature, an understanding of the ability of environmental education (EE) programs to foster connectedness to nature is needed. The purpose of this exploratory quantitative study is to determine the effect of seven EE programs on participants' connectedness to nature. Results from the 385 children who participated in this study suggest two of the programs may be associated with a significant increas…
Early childhood educators’ use of natural outdoor settings as learning environments
In efforts to encourage use of natural outdoor settings as learning environments within early childhood education, survey research was conducted with 46 early childhood educators from northern Minnesota (United States) to explore their beliefs and practices regarding natural outdoor settings, as well investigate predictors of and barriers to the educational use of these settings. Of the beliefs measured, only two were significantly related to fre…
The effects of environment‐based education on students' critical thinking skills and disposition toward critical thinking
This study examined the relationship between environment‐based education and high school students' critical thinking skills and disposition toward critical thinking. Four hundred four 9th and 12th grade students from 11 Florida high schools participated in the study. A Pretest‐Posttest Nonequivalent Comparison Group Design (9th grade) and a Posttest Only Nonequivalent Comparison Group Design (12th grade) were used. Interviews of students and teac…
Influences on US middle school teachers’ use of environment‐based education
The term environment‐based education (EBE) describes a form of school‐based environmental education in which an instructor uses the environment as a context for integrating subjects and a source of real world learning experiences. Despite the growing body of evidence that supports the educational efficacy of this instructional approach and its grounding in high‐quality environmental education, relatively few US teachers seem to practice EBE (Univ…
Environmental action and student environmental leaders
The Student Climate and Conservation Congress (SC3) is a joint educational effort between the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Green Schools Alliance that aims to develop the next generation of conservation leaders through fostering action competence in youth. Data from SC3 participants was used to investigate four predictors of adult environmental behavior (environmental attitudes, locus of control, sense of personal responsibilit…
Exploring value orientations toward the human–nature relationship
Research exploring urban youths' value orientations toward the human–nature relationship was conducted with 59 students from a school in Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA) and 51 students from a school in Guangzhou, Guangdong (China). Quantitative findings suggest that the majority of participants in both groups shared a similar value orientation, harmony with nature. Qualitative findings, however, suggest youth had somewhat different value orientation…
Preservice early childhood educators’ perceptions of outdoor settings as learning environments
In the context of encouraging the use of natural settings for educational experiences with young children, an exploratory study using survey research and photographs of outdoor settings was conducted to understand how preservice early childhood educators perceive these settings and what educational opportunities, motivations, and barriers they associate with them. Based on the results of 110 participants, this study suggests preservice early chil…
The effects of environment‐based education on students' critical thinking skills and disposition toward critical thinking
This study examined the relationship between environment‐based education and high school students' critical thinking skills and disposition toward critical thinking. Four hundred four 9th and 12th grade students from 11 Florida high schools participated in the study. A Pretest‐Posttest Nonequivalent Comparison Group Design (9th grade) and a Posttest Only Nonequivalent Comparison Group Design (12th grade) were used. Interviews of students and teac…
The Prairie Science Class
The Prairie Science Class, a partnership between Independent School District 544 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), uses a local prairie wetlands ecosystem as an integrating and motivating context to engage fifth-grade students in science, math, and writing through real world, field-based learning experiences. This article describes the Prairie Science Class and a research base for this educational ap…
Influences on US middle school teachers’ use of environment‐based education
The term environment‐based education (EBE) describes a form of school‐based environmental education in which an instructor uses the environment as a context for integrating subjects and a source of real world learning experiences. Despite the growing body of evidence that supports the educational efficacy of this instructional approach and its grounding in high‐quality environmental education, relatively few US teachers seem to practice EBE (Univ…
Evaluating the effects of environmental education programming on connectedness to nature
With a growing movement to re-connect children to nature, an understanding of the ability of environmental education (EE) programs to foster connectedness to nature is needed. The purpose of this exploratory quantitative study is to determine the effect of seven EE programs on participants' connectedness to nature. Results from the 385 children who participated in this study suggest two of the programs may be associated with a significant increas…
Preservice early childhood educators’ perceptions of outdoor settings as learning environments
In the context of encouraging the use of natural settings for educational experiences with young children, an exploratory study using survey research and photographs of outdoor settings was conducted to understand how preservice early childhood educators perceive these settings and what educational opportunities, motivations, and barriers they associate with them. Based on the results of 110 participants, this study suggests preservice early chil…
Early childhood educators’ use of natural outdoor settings as learning environments
In efforts to encourage use of natural outdoor settings as learning environments within early childhood education, survey research was conducted with 46 early childhood educators from northern Minnesota (United States) to explore their beliefs and practices regarding natural outdoor settings, as well investigate predictors of and barriers to the educational use of these settings. Of the beliefs measured, only two were significantly related to fre…
Exploring value orientations toward the human–nature relationship
Research exploring urban youths' value orientations toward the human–nature relationship was conducted with 59 students from a school in Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA) and 51 students from a school in Guangzhou, Guangdong (China). Quantitative findings suggest that the majority of participants in both groups shared a similar value orientation, harmony with nature. Qualitative findings, however, suggest youth had somewhat different value orientation…
Environmental action and student environmental leaders
The Student Climate and Conservation Congress (SC3) is a joint educational effort between the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Green Schools Alliance that aims to develop the next generation of conservation leaders through fostering action competence in youth. Data from SC3 participants was used to investigate four predictors of adult environmental behavior (environmental attitudes, locus of control, sense of personal responsibilit…
Zoos’ and Aquariums’ Impact and Influence on Connecting Families to Nature
Zoos and aquariums can be an instrumental avenue for connecting children to nature, thereby contributing to the development of conservation values and environmental stewardship. Survey data from 210 participants from nature play programs at 21 zoo and aquarium sites suggest visitors were more likely to spend time in nature in the future and felt better able to overcome barriers to spending time in nature as a result of their participation. Result…
Executive function in early childhood
This study examined the effect of nature-based practices on preschoolers’ executive function (EF). The Minnesota Executive Function Scale was administered to 147 children within one school district at the beginning and end of the preschool year. Results suggest incorporating nature-based practices into preschool was effective, as children in preschool classrooms where nature-based practices were used had significantly higher levels of EF at the e…
Does Vocabulary Grow in Nature? Exploring the Impacts of Nature-Based Early Learning on Young Children's Receptive Vocabulary Development
This study examined the effect of nature-based practices on preschoolers' receptive vocabulary. We administered the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test to 134 children from 11 preschool classes at the beginning and end of the preschool year. Results suggest incorporating nature-based practices into preschool supported significant vocabulary growth, but that effectiveness varied by public vs. private school setting and children's socioeconomic status.…
Nurturing Empathy
Empathy, defined here as the knowledge and sharing of others' feelings (Knafo-Noam et al., 2009), is an essential competency that facilitates connection and compassionate action that is important to nurture in early childhood. Nature preschools have been found to be effective in fostering empathy in young children (Ernst et al., 2022), however it is unclear how the nature-preschool approach supports children's empathy development. Grounded in the…
Psychology (11 works) · Geography (8 works) · Pedagogy (8 works) · Environmental education (7 works) · Environmental Education and Sustainability (7 works) · Urban Green Space and Health (7 works) · Social Psychology (6 works) · Sociology (6 works) · Social Psychology (5 works) · Developmental psychology (4 works)