Minkin, Sarah M.

Starting from Here: An Exploration of the Space for Sustainability Education in Elementary Science and Social Studies.

Ohio

2015

Master of Science (MS) Thesis: Ohio University, Environmental Studies (Voinovich).

Sustainability education (SE) is a pathway for creating a more socially, economically, and environmentally just and sustainable world. SE involves the incorporation of sustainability concepts into curricula using innovate teaching methods (i.e. place-based education, outdoor education, experiential education, nature-based education). This thesis explores the space for SE in Grade 5 science and social studies classrooms. Using the case study methodology, this study looked to practicing teachers for insights on how SE could be integrated into the public education system. This study investigated teachers′ understanding of sustainability and practice of SE by analyzing their perceptions of sustainability, examples of SE lessons, and their sources of knowledge about sustainability. The results indicated that teachers′ understanding of sustainability is largely focused on environmental aspects and that teachers′ practice of SE also has an environmental focus. This study evaluated the feasibility of teaching SE in the classroom by outlining the challenges and opportunities for SE presented by teachers. While there are some factors that limit teachers′ ability to teach SE (i.e. teachers′ limited knowledge about sustainability, lack of training in SE, and institutional demands), with guidance and support from education institutions and community partnerships current and future teachers can provide SE for their students.

↑ https://etd.ohiolink.edu/pg_10?0::NO:10:P10_ETD_SUBID:103778

01.06.2018