Developing Environmental Agency and Engagement Through Young People’s Fiction.

This article explores the extent to which stories for young people encourage environmental engagement and a sense of agency. Our discussion is informed by the work of Paul Ricoeur (on hermeneutics and narrative), John Dewey (on primacy of experience), and John Macmurray (on personal agency in society). We understand fiction reading about place as hermeneutical, that is, interpreting understanding by combining what is read with what is experienced. We investigate this view through examples of four children’s writers, Ernest Thompson Seton, Kenneth Grahame, Michelle Paver and Philip Pullman. We draw attention to notions of critical dialogue and active democratic citizenship. With a focus on the educational potential of this material for environmental discussions that lead to deeper understandings of place and environment, we examine whether the examples consistently encourage the belief that young people can become agents for change. We also consider whether the concept of heroic resister might encourage young people to overcome peer pressure and peer cultures that marginalise environmental activism. We conclude by recommending the focused discussion of fiction to promote environmental learning; and for writers to engage ore with themes of environmental responsibility and agency

DigitalCommons Report: 2015

DigitalCommons has been fully operational for two and a half years: FY14: 464 works to date | 43,278 full-text downloads to date | 27,613 downloads in the past year FY15: 762 works to date | 88,466 full-text downloads to date | 44,033 downloads in the past yea

Program Review: 2022 DigitalCommons Report to Biology

The Biology faculty has been receiving global recognition for their advancement of science teaching, contributing peer-reviewed scholarship to Science Publications & Research since 2005: https://digitalcommons.imsa.edu/sci_pr/ Contributions from the Biology team to Science Publications & Research include in-field published articles, book chapters, professional conference papers/presentations, and workshops on: innovative and equitable assessment, student-centered engagement, and culturally responsive classrooms

Program Review: 2020 DigitalCommons Report to SIR

The Student Inquiry and Research (SIR) Program’s primary collections within DigitalCommons include faculty Publications & Research, Student Publications & Research, and IMSAloquium Abstract Booklets from 1989-2020: https://digitalcommons.imsa.edu/sir

DigitalCommons, IMSA’s Institutional Portfolio: how inclusion is creating a win-win for stakeholders

DigitalCommons@imsa includes rich collections from across the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy that are anchored to its legislative charge and mission. Hear how inclusion and a history of robust cross collaboration have made it possible for IMSA to curate content that provides evidence of return on investment to stakeholders while demonstrating the effectiveness of its programs. And share in the excitement of our newest initiative, Student Portfolios

DigitalCommons Report: 2016

DigitalCommons has been fully operational for four and a half years: FY14: 464 works to date | 43,278 full-text downloads to date | 27,613 downloads in the past year FY15: 762 works to date | 88,466 full-text downloads to date | 44,033 downloads in the past year FY16: 1,492 works to date | 144,574 full-text downloads to date | 58,250 downloads in the past yea