Ecoliteracy

We envision a world where all students experience and understand how nature sustains life and are inspired to live in ways that benefit people and the environment.  Experiences in the natural world help children understand lifecycles and seasons, make predictions, and become aware of the interdependence between plants, animals, and elements like rain and sun. Engagement with the natural world is perhaps the most powerful way to support the investigation process—observation, experimentation, data collection, prediction, analysis, and reporting discoveries.  Environmental education for young children should include the development of a sense of wonder; appreciation for the beauty and mystery of the natural world; opportunities to experience the joy of closeness to nature and respect for other creatures.

In the 21st Century, expectations for a literate citizenry have been extended to include the ability to understand, make informed decisions, and act with respect to complex topics and issues facing society today.  An eco-literate person is prepared to be an effective member of sustainable society, with well-rounded abilities of head, heart, hands, and spirit, comprising an organic understanding of the world and participatory action within and with the environment.

Our classroom settings have evolved to embrace a multitude of contexts to express a diversity of views and narratives in global discourse and are the places for emerging ideas.  That is why, as educators we should develop the skills necessary to investigate, analyze and communicate ideas and information related to sustainability, and to advocate, generate and evaluate actions for sustainable futures.

Please find below the standard indicative daily programme that will be personalized on participants needs and professional profiles. 

Day 1

• Course introduction 

• Needs and expectations evaluation 

• Ice-breaking activities 

• Teambuilding exercises 

• Introduction to ecoliterate citizenry 

• Welcome Dinner

Day 2

• Theoretical framework, definitions and key principles to understand significant environmental problems and their causes

• Introduction to basic concepts in evaluation of the relative sustainability and unsustainability of practices

• Assessment of the moral dimensions of unsustainability

• Identification and diagnosis of the obstacles to ecological sustainability 

• Actionable ways to address issues of unsustainability

Day 3

• Developing Can-do Statements for our learners so that they:

o  Can understand and explain the concept of sustainability and give concrete examples

o  Can express appreciation of the natural world in their immediate surroundings

o  Can advocate for protection/conservation of local ecosystems/species

o  Can understand and explain the concept of “greenwashing”

o  Can identify simple examples of “greenwashing”

o  Can describe the connections and relationships within a local ecosystem

o  Can identify and describe potential local sustainability issues

o  Can outline actionable solutions to address local issues of unsustainability

• Cultural activities

Day 4

• How can we approach to the big problems, climate change, biodiversity loss, pandemics, and etc.

• What is Greenwashing as a PR tactic of the companies?  Awareness raising activities

• Creating case scenarios (group work)

• Guided City Tour (Optional)

Day 5

• Reimagining energy

• Carbon footprint 

• Connections and relationships within a local ecosystem

• Actionable solutions to address local issues of unsustainability

Day 6

Developing the related skils: 

• creativity

• problem solving skills

• communication skills

• co-operation skills

• Dinner at a traditional  restaurant

Day 7

• Conclusion Remarks

• Feedback & Certificate Ceremony