Strategies for Integrating Sustainability in Education

Course overview

This immersive 5-day course is designed to equip educators with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to effectively integrate sustainability principles and practices into their educational settings. Participants will explore sustainability from various perspectives, developing strategies to raise awareness, encourage student action, and foster personal responsibility towards a more sustainable future.

The course will delve into the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, providing a shared blueprint for peace, prosperity, and environmental protection. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their connection to education, enabling them to align their teaching practices with these global objectives.

Emphasis will be placed on practical demonstrations, hands-on activities, and interactive experiential exercises, fostering active participation and collaboration among participants from diverse backgrounds. The course will prepare participants to implement sustainability initiatives in their work, encouraging and facilitating student actions towards a more sustainable future.

The course will cover a range of modules, including an introduction to sustainability in the world today, climate and nature, social issues and equity, supporting well-being, ethical progress and innovation, developing sustainable projects with students, effective altruism and activism, teaching personal responsibility and responsible decision-making, and strategies for implementing sustainability in daily life.

To enhance the learning experience and provide a cultural context, the course will incorporate a guided field trip, allowing participants to explore the local heritage and sustainable practices, further enriching their understanding of sustainability in a real-world setting.

Tentative schedule:

Day 1: Introduction to sustainability and the global context

Icebreakers and networking activities
Introduction to the course and participants
Overview of the course methodology and expectations
Exploring the concept of sustainability and its importance for the future
Understanding the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 SDGs
Group discussions: Sharing personal experiences and perspectives on sustainability

Day 2: Sustainability in education and climate action

Integrating sustainability principles into educational settings
Strategies for raising awareness and encouraging student action
Climate change and its impact on the environment
Hands-on activities: Developing climate action projects for educational settings

Day 3: Social equity, well-being, and cultural exploration

Addressing social issues and promoting equity in education
Supporting well-being and creating inclusive learning environments
Interactive exercises: Fostering inclusivity and promoting mental health in educational settings
Cultural visit (e.g. museum, heritage site) guided in English to explore local heritage and sustainability practices

Day 4: Ethical progress, innovation, and student engagement

Ethical considerations and innovative approaches to sustainability
Developing sustainable projects with students
Effective altruism and activism in educational contexts
Collaborative activities: Designing sustainable projects for student engagement

Day 5: Personal responsibility and implementation strategies

Teaching personal responsibility and responsible decision-making
Values and ethics in the classroom
Strategies for implementing sustainability in daily life
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 concept of sustainability in the world today, encompassing various areas and global perspectives.
Explain the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their connection to education, recognizing the role of educators in achieving these goals.
Design and facilitate sustainable projects with students, fostering their engagement and promoting responsible decision-making.
Develop strategies to promote personal responsibility, values, and ethics in the classroom, encouraging students to adopt sustainable practices.
Implement hands-on activities and interactive exercises to raise awareness about climate change, environmental conservation, and social equity.
Integrate strategies for supporting well-being, inclusivity, and mental health in educational settings, creating a conducive learning environment.
Evaluate ethical considerations and innovative approaches to sustainability, encouraging critical thinking and responsible decision-making.
Collaborate with fellow educators to share best practices, strategies, and resources for implementing sustainability in educational contexts.
Incorporate cultural elements and sustainable practices observed during the guided city tour into their teaching methodologies, promoting inclusive and environmentally conscious practices.
Develop a comprehensive action plan for integrating sustainability principles and practices into their educational settings, fostering a sustainable future for all.

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.

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