An Empirical Study on the Effects of Agricultural Experiential Learning on Elementary School Students

Abstract

This study examined the effects of agricultural experience programs on elementary school students. Questionnaires were administered at two intervention schools and one control school before and after their experiences in rice paddies. The effects were analyzed using the difference-in-differences method. The results indicate that students at the intervention schools showed significant increases in both their motivation to interact with local residents and their interest in living organisms within the rice paddies. In contrast, no significant changes were observed in other areas, such as interest in agriculture or attachment to the local community. These differences may stem from the program content. However, the five-point scale used in the survey may have had limited sensitivity to children’s perceptions due to ceiling effects. Moreover, the program’s effects may unfold over time, suggesting that the pre- and post-survey design may not have fully captured them. Improving measurement methods remains a challenge for future research.