Developing Sustainability Related Attitudes and 21st Century Skills through Informal Learning Opportunities

Informal learning environments, like libraries and museums, are known to improve student achievement and motivation (Bartels 2001). A meta-analysis reports on the strong positive effects of after-school programs on feelings and attitudes and school performance (Durlak et al, 2007). When working on after-school programs, middle and high school students may develop skills like communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, information literacy, and digital literacy. Such a program was offered by a 501c(3) organization as an informal learning opportunity. As part of this program, high school student volunteers living in the United States (US) designed and delivered learning experiences for elementary and middle school students living in rural regions in India. Adult volunteers supervised and helped coordinate these events that were delivered virtually on WhatsApp and Zoom. This brief provides preliminary observational results to answer the questions: How effective were the informal learning opportunities (a) in changing environmental sustainability related attitudes and behaviors and (b) in gaining 21st century skills for student volunteers in the US and the students from rural India