According to researchers, awe is a powerful emotion with important implications for society, influencing the ways in which we relate to others and affecting our physical and psychological health. Although most of the research on awe has focused on adult populations, some studies have found similar effects of awe in children.

The experience of awe can lead students to care more about the environment.

• One study found a Virtual Reality simulation that increased awe in students also increased their desire to take steps towards protecting our ecosystem.
• Students who spend time in nature in their local communities (e.g., in undeveloped areas surrounding riverbanks) and experienced awe developed a sense of greater respect and attachment to the environment.
• Studies with adults and college-aged students have found that experiencing awe can increase individuals’ willingness to make personal sacrifices for the environment as well as their intentions to engage in pro-environmental behavior.

Awe promotes well-being in youth.

• Young people taking part in a white-water rafting adventure reported greater well-being after their participation. This increase in well-being was predicted by their reports of experiencing greater awe during the rafting adventure, rather than their experience of other positive emotions, like joy or pride.

Awe fosters a sense of belonging.

• Some research suggests that spending time in nature can increase childrens’ sense of awe and their sense of belonging.
• When adults reflect on an awe experience compared to a neutral or shame experience, they report having a greater sense of being a part of a collective.

Awe might encourage greater learning.

• A study found that students taking part in an awe-inducing experience showed greater gains in learning.
• Awe may improve our thinking. A study found that people who had just re-lived a personal experience of awe read a news article even more carefully, and analyzed it more critically, than those in a neutral mood.