Children as researchers: applications and possibilities for environmental education evaluation and research

In Australia, both school and community-based environmental education programs are readily being developed and implemented. While evaluation is often expected to be incorporated as part of the program, evaluation is typically carried out after the program and/or evaluated utilising inappropriate or limiting research methods, not encapsulating the depth, richness and/or potential of the program. Drawing upon a current environmental education program evaluation, namely the evaluation of the Sustainables Challenge (Gould Group, Department of Sustainability and Environment and Sustainability Victoria), the potential and rigour of 'children as researchers' in evaluating and research environmental education programs is explored in this article. [Author abstract, ed]