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Slow education, Sit Spot, and holistic well-being: A narrative case study in secondary science education.

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Title: Slow education, Sit Spot, and holistic well-being: A narrative case study in secondary science education.
Authors: Dean, Steph N.1 sndean@clemson.edu, Lane, Jim2, Bocko, Paul3, Gilbert, Andrew4, Jones, Devan A.5
Source: Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental & Science Education. 2026, Vol. 22 Issue 2, p1-15. 15p.
Subject Terms: *Outdoor education, *Reflective learning, *Science education, *Environmental education, *Student engagement, Well-being, Mindfulness
Abstract: The demands of a test-dominant education system point towards the need for students to have opportunities for unhurried learning engagements, a movement known as slow education. The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term influence of Sit Spot--a recurrent, structured time to reflect outdoors--on students' holistic well-being. Using a narrative case study approach, we interviewed a secondary field ecology teacher and seven of his former students to understand the impact of high school Sit Spot experiences during a semesterlong science class. Three primary outcomes emerged: (1) enduring impact on the whole person, (2) engagement with affect, and (3) a connection and care for nature. There were also a variety of mediating factors that contributed towards the influence of Sit Spot on students' holistic well-being. The findings point towards the importance of intentionally slowing down and making space for mindfulness outdoors in a school science setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental & Science Education is the property of Modestum Publications and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: Slow education, Sit Spot, and holistic well-being: A narrative case study in secondary science education.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dean%2C+Steph+N%2E%22">Dean, Steph N.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> sndean@clemson.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lane%2C+Jim%22">Lane, Jim</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bocko%2C+Paul%22">Bocko, Paul</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gilbert%2C+Andrew%22">Gilbert, Andrew</searchLink><relatesTo>4</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jones%2C+Devan+A%2E%22">Jones, Devan A.</searchLink><relatesTo>5</relatesTo>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Interdisciplinary+Journal+of+Environmental+%26+Science+Education%22">Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental & Science Education</searchLink>. 2026, Vol. 22 Issue 2, p1-15. 15p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Outdoor+education%22">Outdoor education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reflective+learning%22">Reflective learning</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+education%22">Science education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Environmental+education%22">Environmental education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+engagement%22">Student engagement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Well-being%22">Well-being</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mindfulness%22">Mindfulness</searchLink>
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  Data: The demands of a test-dominant education system point towards the need for students to have opportunities for unhurried learning engagements, a movement known as slow education. The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term influence of Sit Spot--a recurrent, structured time to reflect outdoors--on students' holistic well-being. Using a narrative case study approach, we interviewed a secondary field ecology teacher and seven of his former students to understand the impact of high school Sit Spot experiences during a semesterlong science class. Three primary outcomes emerged: (1) enduring impact on the whole person, (2) engagement with affect, and (3) a connection and care for nature. There were also a variety of mediating factors that contributed towards the influence of Sit Spot on students' holistic well-being. The findings point towards the importance of intentionally slowing down and making space for mindfulness outdoors in a school science setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Interdisciplinary Journal of Environmental & Science Education is the property of Modestum Publications and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=194258545
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        Value: 10.29333/ijese/17848
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Outdoor education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Reflective learning
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      – SubjectFull: Science education
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      – SubjectFull: Student engagement
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      – SubjectFull: Mindfulness
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      – TitleFull: Slow education, Sit Spot, and holistic well-being: A narrative case study in secondary science education.
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              Text: 2026
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