Only 12% of high school and middle school students have a foundational understanding of environmental issues & solutions. This number is extremely low, especially with the rising environmental problems that continue to arise in recent years. This study will explore the impacts of environmental education and examine its benefits within an after-school program curriculum.

Incorporating environmental education into after-school programs is essential to developing Gen Z’s central knowledge, skills, and value systems in becoming eco-friendly citizens. In learning about environmental issues at a young age, children are more likely to incorporate sustainable practices and eco-friendly solutions into their daily lives. This education is also crucial for Gen Z students to make informed decisions about environmental issues and eventually become leaders in promoting environmental sustainability within their communities.

I intend to work directly with an organization specializing in children's environmental education. Hopefully, with this experience, I will also be able to collect surveys to compare the percentage of students that were environmentally aware before and after the completion of the program in hopes of seeing a noticeable difference. I will also review academic literature produced by experts in the field of education and environmental sustainability. I plan to obtain this academic literature from the Brooklyn Public Library, the New York Public Library, and online resources through Jstor. Utilizing these resources I will be able to properly display the benefits of environmental education with both quantitative and qualitative evidence.