Outdoor Education and Environmental Responsibility. “In all things of nature there is something marvellous.”   Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

1. Science activities
Comenius 2004/2006 Nobel project
Comenius 2007/2009 SMILE project
Scuola Media Luigi Stefanini
Teacher Graziano Scotto di Clemente

2. Outdoor Education and
Environmental Responsibility
“In all things of nature there is something marvellous.”
Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)
...developing values is a lifelong process….

3. Education for sustainable development (ESD)
A definition:
sustainable development is development that
meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs.
Education for Sustainable Development, briefing paper for the Teacher
Training Agency (UK) - John Huckle - http://john.huckle.org.uk/

4. ESD in schools:
 ESD as environmental science and
management
 ESD as values and behaviour
change
 ESD as socially critical education
Education for sustainable development (ESD)

5. Classroom talk plays a key role in
ESD for it is through dialogue that
pupils (with guidance) can decide
what is technically possible,
culturally appropriate, and morally
and politically right.
(to contextualize, for example, the rules of
citizenship education, in the new Italian school
reform!)
Education for sustainable development (ESD)

6. Seven key concepts for ESD:
1. Interdependence – of society, economy and natural
environment, from local to global (chain reactions,
multiple causes and multiple effects, trade offs)
2. Citizenship and stewardship (rights and
responsibilities, participation and co-operation)
3. Needs and rights of future generations
4. Diversity (cultural, social, economic and biological)
5. Quality of life, equity and justice
6. Development and carrying capacity
7. Uncertainty and precaution in action
Education for sustainable development (ESD)

7. Out-of-school (non-formal) education
Many students attribute a large amount of
their knowledge of environmental
concepts, problems, and issues to out-of-
school (non-formal) educational settings
and experiences.
These experiences can be combined very
effectively with formal school programs
and enhance the learning obtained from
both.

8. Out-of-school (non-formal) education
2005-06 Experiences: water, soil, and
connections between rivers in our territory
An alpine riverA resurgence river

9. Out-of-school (non-formal) education
Participation in outdoor
pursuits classes and
programs can give all
of us the opportunity
for challenge,
adventure and
excitement.
Perhaps most of all, the
outdoor experience
offers us a chance to
explore and shape
our values, attitudes,
and behaviors
towards the
environment and
ourselves.The sound of water!

10. The exploration of a cavern!
Out-of-school (non-formal) education

11. Out-of-school (non-formal) education
and formal education
Analysis of an Ecosystem - Content Standards:
1. Change, constancy, and measurement
2. Interdependence of organisms
3. Matter, energy, and organization in living
systems
4. Natural resources
5. Environmental quality
6. Science and technology in local, national,
and global challenges

12. Out-of-school (non-formal) education
and formal education
Some moments…..

13. Out-of-school (non-formal)
education and formal education

14. Not formal - Formal education: the carbon
cycle, in the water life

15. Not formal - Formal education: the
carbon cycle, on the soil life

16. Outdoor Education and
Environmental Responsibility
In conclusion:
involvement in
outdoor
activities
stimulates
interest in the
outdoors, which
in turn
motivates
students to
learn about the
natural
environment.