Sustainability in education: raising environmental awareness

Description

This course was designed to equip educators with necessary skills and knowledge on how to practically implement the topic of sustainable development into their school environment. It raises environmental awareness and the importance of identifying our own impact in our community through practical and innovative activities.

Our trainers are going to engage participants in a hands-on, project-based exploration of sustainable practices, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. By delving into activities that range from calculating one’s carbon footprint to analysis, and debates, participants will gain a deeper understanding of their role in the Anthropocene.

Our dynamic curriculum emphasises experiential learning, taking participants beyond the classroom to the breathtaking landscapes of Split. A field trip to local natural sites will engage participants in direct observation and analysis.

Through different activities participants will be developing empathy and a multifaceted understanding of global environmental challenges. The course leverages the power of teamwork and collaboration, encouraging educators to work together in designing sustainable solutions for the school environment and beyond. We will be blending scientific inquiry with practical application. These activities emphasise the importance of critical thinking and raising awareness among young learners about sustainable practices.

Book your place now to empower yourself and your students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to contribute to a sustainable future.

Check out this course on European School Education Platform a meeting point for the school education community:
https://school-education.ec.europa.eu/en/professional-development/courses/sustainability-education-raising-environmental-awareness

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the participants will:

• gain an understanding of individual and collective impacts on the environment,
• initiate steps towards reducing carbon footprints,
• enhance critical thinking through data analysis,
• understand renewable energy sources,
• explore sustainable development through project based and experiential learning,
• foster creativity and innovation in designing sustainable solutions,
• apply classroom knowledge to real-world settings; teamwork and collaboration in collecting and analysing environmental data.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Welcome ceremony, introduction to the course

• Introduction to the course and key concepts related to climate change & sustainable development;
• Icebreaker activities;
• Group bonding activities.

Day 2 – Understanding our impact

• Sustainable development: a balance between environmental, economic and social sustainability
• Introduction to Sustainable development and the Anthropocene
• Cultivating students’ comprehension of their carbon footprint

Guided walking tour (available for all courses)

Day 3 – Project based and experiential learning

• Understanding the implications of climate change on a local and global scale (practical activities)
• Sustainable energy solutions (experiential learning)
• Sustainable design challenge (Teamwork, a collaborative task)

Day 4 – Critical thinking and misinformation

• Investigating the term “infodemic”
• Building skills in verifying facts related to climate change

Day 5 – Experiential Learning in Nature

• Climate change field trip
• Practice based approach to understanding sustainable development in our own community
• Creative solutions for sustainability, sustainable design challenge

Day 6 – Project-based learning, act on climate change

• Environmental education and sustainable development
• Project-based learning, practical games, and activities for students

Day 7 – Course closure and evaluation

• Reflecting on the course and what we have learned from the past week
• Course evaluation
• Erasmus+ Certificate award ceremony