Integrating Sustainability Education Into A High School Earth/Environmental Science Course

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Courtney Patricia Baines (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Advisor
Beth Buchholz

Abstract: This action research study investigated ways to incorporate sustainability education into a rural public high school’s Earth/Environmental Science course. State essential standards were organized around four sustainability themes with the goal to teach students to understand the interconnectedness of Earth’s cultural, economic, and ecologic systems. Student responses to the action were analyzed. Results revealed that sustainability-based thematic teaching allowed for space to explore complex sustainability content that interwove ecological literacy, economic system critique, and equity/social justice. It also allowed for diverse, critically questioning perspectives that were often rooted in a local context, encouraging students to become engaged, critical thinking citizens of their local and global communities. The restructured thematic course provided a more flexible curriculum that enabled more time to engage in a participatory and experiential teaching and learning process. The public action step involved the creation of a publicly accessible pacing and curriculum guide that can be utilized by other educators.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Baines, C. (2018). "Integrating Sustainability Education Into A High School Earth/Environmental Science Course." Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
Language: English
Date: 2018
Keywords
Sustainability Education, Secondary Education Earth/Environmental Science, High School Science, Environmental Education

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