The "Inclusion of Nature in Self" scale (INS) was applied to monitor shifts in reported connectedness with nature within the framework of a school-based environmental education programme. One hundred and twenty-three German students (sixth-graders) participated in a one-day module, which included hands-on indoor (classroom) and outdoor (nearby woods) implementation. Additionally, a control group (n = 116) did not participate in our intervention at all. Seven types of shifts in students' subjective connectedness with nature before and after project participation were analysed and discussed. Individual initial connectedness and a variety of short- and long-term connectedness shifts indicate the necessity of a needs-oriented environmental education. The reliability of the INS scale as a rapid assessment for improving school-based fieldwork settings is confirmed. (Contains 1 table and 2 figures.)