Sample and participants

The study is carried out on two samples, i.e. In two parts. The first part consists of a study of the entire sample (at least n=500) of students of the University of Rijeka, i.e. from different faculties (pedagogy, philosophy, engineering, etc.), from different years of study (possibility of expanding the sample). The second part consists of a study of a sub-sample of 50-80 students from the Faculty of Teacher education in Rijeka.

In addition to collecting data on socio-demographic variables (faculty, level of study, year of study, gender, etc.), data on previous education, lifestyle, membership in social groups, etc. will also be collected. The sample will include students of both genders from the University of Rijeka.

Research method and analytical strategy

The research will be conducted online, with the prior approval of the Faculty Ethics Committee and the consent (informed consent) of the participants, voluntarily and anonymously. The research is based on a quantitative methodology that includes the performance of basic statistical calculations: inferential and multivariate statistics (descriptive parameters, correlation calculations, regression and multiregression, and other analyses). All calculations are carried out on the basis of the defined research questions.

In the first step, the study will be conducted on a planned and appropriate sample of students from different faculties and years of study, for which prior approval has been obtained at the level of the institution(s).

In the second step, a quasi-experimental study is conducted on a suitable sub-sample of approximately 50-80 students. A first test group and a second control group of students are formed. A total of 3 measurements are carried out: 1st measurement at the beginning of the semester, 2nd measurement during the semester and 3rd measurement at the end of the semester for the test and control group (sub-sample), while one measurement is carried out for the entire sample.

The quasi-experimental research will measure the effects of the availability of natural spaces and spending time in nature on a sub-sample: 1. Measurement will be conducted as in step 1, while 2. Measurement will be conducted after the students participate in the training – field lessons in the Učka nature park – and 3. Measurement will be conducted at the end of the semester.

The aim is to determine statistically significant differences between the students’ evaluations at the beginning and at the end of the semester, i.e. to measure the effect of formal education and (stay, availability) of natural spaces (education in field lessons in NP Učka) in the field of environmental issues and sustainable development on the level of environmental identity, connectedness to nature and well-being.

Planned main results of the project and activities:

• creation of the project website education – field lessons for students (NP Učka)
• Presentation of the project (conferences, web, fb, topics of final and diploma theses, etc.)
• Work on documentation and analysis of research piloting (groups, consents, validation)
• Carrying out the field research (data collection)
• Data processing and presentation (publication of results)
• Planned publication of research results (websites, symposium, papers a1 and a2, development of guidelines based on the results)
• Application or Cost project activities
• HRZZ project application framework (depending on the call conditions).

Plan and explanation of the aspects of the contribution to institutional development policy

The aim of this research is aligned with the scientific research strategy of the Faculty of Teacher education in Rijeka, i.e. The topics: training and professional development of educators and teachers in education and education for sustainable development; personality and identity in education and education and psychology of well-being, social-emotional learning, mental health and psychological resilience in the educational context.

The project is the basis for the application for the Cost project (research in outdoor science teaching) and should serve as a framework for the possible application for the Croatian Science Foundation project (depending on the calls for proposals). A particular contribution of the research is aimed at supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2030 and improving the quality of studies at the college. The contribution of this research is reflected in the fact that universities influence the education of future citizens of society, with responsibility for personal development strongly linked to issues of personal identity and the relationship with natural and cultural heritage. By innovating in the context of recognizing sustainable development as an indispensable and necessary future, this project underlines the need to promote more sustainable behaviors and develop links with nature, but also with the academic community, which is a pillar of society as a whole. The research is based on achieving the following goals: health and wellbeing (3), quality education (4) and socially responsible college (1, 2, 6, 8, 13)” (UNIRI Strategy, pp. 12-13).