Environmental education is an interdisciplinary field that integrates knowledge from various disciplines and enables learners to understand the complex relationships between human activities and the environment. The article reveals the principles and main models of experimental learning in environmental education. Environmental education emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning, where learners actively engage with the environment and learn by doing. This approach allows learners to develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and fosters a sense of responsibility towards the environment. © 2023 The Authors, published by EDP Sciences.