Educational practices for improvement of sustainability education at secondary school level

• Published in: Science activities Vol. 61; no. 4; pp. 207 - 216
• Main Authors: Jäggle, Georg, Posekany, Alexandra, Lepuschitz, Wilfried, Koppensteiner, Gottfried, Zakall, Stefan, Vincze, Markus, Merdan, Munir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington Routledge 01.10.2024; Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subjects: Active Learning; awareness of environmental challenges; Circular economy; circular economy practices; Critical thinking; Curricula; Education; Educational Environment; Educational Practices; Electronic waste; electronic waste reduction; Environmental education; Problem solving; Project-based learning; SDG 12: responsible consumption and production; Secondary education; Student Projects; Sustainability
• ISSN: 0036-8121; 1940-1302
• DOI: 10.1080/00368121.2024.2376758

In the future of education, concepts of sustainability and recycling have to become integral parts of core subjects which require interdisciplinary collaboration beyond subject borders. Project-based Learning offers the perfect educational environment for such integration of knowledge not limited by single subject curricula or school curricula in general. At the same time, it offers a hands-on approach to actively in- volve students in the creation of products as well as the training of skills for critical thinking and problem-solving, but also increases their awareness regarding sustainability and environmental challenges. In this context, the goals of a circular economy are supported by such an educational approach combined with an environmental focus.