Climate Change Education: Empowering Educators for a Sustainable Future

Course overview

This comprehensive 5-day course is designed to equip educators with the knowledge, skills, and practical strategies to effectively address climate change education within their respective educational settings. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the causes, effects, and risks associated with both short-term and long-term climate change, enabling them to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices among their school communities and students.

The course will delve into the fundamental concepts of climate change, exploring topics such as the greenhouse effect, ecological footprints, energy use, and the impact of human activities on the environment. Participants will learn about renewable and alternative energy sources, as well as strategies for reducing energy consumption and promoting sustainable practices.

Emphasis will be placed on practical activities and hands-on experiences, allowing participants to explore the interconnections between water, food, waste, and climate change. Through interactive exercises and simulations, participants will gain insights into the water cycle, agricultural practices, food systems, and waste management, fostering a holistic understanding of the complex challenges posed by climate change.

The course will also incorporate a cultural visit to a local site or initiative that exemplifies climate action and sustainability in practice. This immersive experience will provide participants with real-world examples and inspiration for implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies within their educational contexts.

Participants will explore successful environmental projects and case studies, learning from best practices and effective strategies implemented by other schools and organizations. They will also delve into the role of educators as change agents, developing action plans and strategies to promote climate change awareness and sustainable practices within their school communities.

Tentative schedule:

Day 1: Introduction to climate change education

  • Icebreakers and networking activities
  • Introduction to the course and participants
  • Overview of the course methodology and expectations
  • Understanding the urgency of climate change education
  • Exploring the causes and effects of climate change
  • Group discussions: Sharing personal experiences and perspectives on climate change

Day 2: Climate change essentials and energy

  • Climate and weather: Understanding the differences
  • Earth’s systems and the greenhouse effect
  • Ecological footprints and energy use
  • Non-renewable, renewable, and alternative energy sources
  • Practical activities: Calculating carbon footprints and energy consumption

Day 3: Water, food, and waste management

  • The water cycle and the impact of climate change
  • Agriculture and sustainable farming practices
  • Food systems and waste reduction strategies
  • Hands-on activities: Simulating the food chain and waste management

Day 4: Exploring cultural diversity through mobile photography

  • Cultural visit (e.g. museum, heritage site) guided in English to explore local initiatives and practices related to climate action and sustainability
  • Post-visit activities: Incorporating cultural elements and sustainable practices into educational contexts
  • Group activity: Designing an environmental project inspired by the cultural visit
  • Peer review and feedback

Day 5: Implementing climate change education

  • Review of successful environmental projects and case studies
  • Developing action plans for promoting climate change awareness and sustainable practices in educational institutions
  • Strategies for engaging communities and students in climate change education
  • Course evaluation and feedback
  • Certification ceremony

The classes typically run from 9 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon, with the afternoon and evening reserved for self-reflection and individual study. However, the course schedule may be adjusted to accommodate the preferences of the participants and the availability of instructors or external learning locations. Participants will receive the finalized schedule well in advance, allowing ample time for preparation and planning.

Learning outcomes:

The participants will be able to:

  • Analyze the causes, effects, and risks associated with short-term and long-term climate change.
  • Evaluate the interconnections between human activities, energy use, water systems, food production, and waste management in the context of climate change.
  • Develop action plans to raise awareness about climate change within their school communities and among students.
  • Implement practical activities and hands-on experiences to foster understanding of climate change concepts and sustainable practices.
  • Integrate cultural elements and sustainable practices observed during the cultural visit into their educational contexts.
  • Examine successful environmental projects and case studies to identify effective strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
  • Design engaging and interactive learning experiences that promote climate change education and sustainable practices.
  • Collaborate with fellow educators to share best practices and develop cross-curricular approaches to climate change education.
  • Evaluate the role of educators as change agents in promoting climate change awareness and sustainable practices within their school communities.
  • Construct comprehensive action plans for implementing climate change education initiatives, engaging stakeholders, and fostering sustainable practices within their educational settings.
  • Analyze the impact of individual and collective actions on mitigating and adapting to climate change, and develop strategies to empower students and communities to take action.

Course fee:

  • 400 euro per participant (covered entirely by the Erasmus grant)

Course fee includes:

  • At least 25 hours of course content;
  • Course materials;
  • Certificate of participation;
  • Europass, on request;
  • Learning / Mobility Agreement;
  • Visits to local institutions, if available;
  • Personalized support;
  • Free high-speed WIFI internet at the POU Čakovec premises;
  • Refreshments;
  • Administration costs;
  • Dissemination materials.
Skip to content