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EcoSTEAM and Environmental Awareness

Integrating Sustainability, Environmental Education and STEAM Methodologies

by Cristina Morelli,IC TONIOLO, Pisa

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The EcoSteam framework

Pedagogical Approaches

Educational Impact

Erasmus projects

Conclusions

Educational context

What are we talking about?

Sustainability competences

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key issues include:

-climate change

-the need for environmental literacy among younger generations

- the role of schools in fostering sustainable thinking and responsible citizenship

Education systems are increasingly called to integrate sustainability as a transversal competence across curricula.

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Enviromental challenges require new educational responses

According to UNESCO, Education for Sustainable Development enables learners to develop the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to make informed decisions and act responsibly for environmental integrity and social well-being.

The UNESCO framework for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) emphasizes that education must empower learners with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion.

Within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, education is considered essential for achieving sustainability goals, particularly SDG 4.7, which calls for integrating sustainability, human rights, and global citizenship into education systems.

This means that schools are no longer only places where knowledge is transmitted; they are also environments where future citizens develop ecological responsibility and critical awareness.

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The EcoSTEAM framework

interdisciplinary learning

real-world environmental problem solving

integration of creativity and

scientific inquiry

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Pedagogical Approaches

EcoSTEAM relies on active learning methodologies

Key approaches:
Project-Based Learning (PBL)
Inquiry-Based Learning
Design Thinking
Outdoor and place-based learning

These approaches support:

experiential learning
collaborative problem solving
engagement with local environmental contexts

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Educational Impact

EcoSTEAM contributes to multiple dimensions of student development.

For students:

development of critical and systems thinking
improved scientific and environmental literacy
enhanced collaboration and civic engagement

For schools:

stronger interdisciplinary curriculum integration
alignment with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and the UN Agenda 2030
opportunities for community and international collaboration

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Sustainable Competences

EcoSTEAM contributes to developing sustainability competences.

The European GreenComp framework identifies four key competence areas:

Embodying sustainability values
Embracing complexity in sustainability
Envisioning sustainable futures
Acting for sustainability

These competences include:

systems thinking
critical thinking
collective action
environmental responsibility

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Food for thoughts...

by UNESCO

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Erasmus projects

EcoSteam

Unity

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Conclusions

EcoSTEAM represents a pedagogical bridge between sustainability education and innovative teaching methodologies.

Through EcoSTEAM, schools can:

promote environmental awareness
strengthen interdisciplinary learning
support active citizenship and sustainability competences

Key message

Education is not only about understanding environmental problems,

it is about empowering students to become agents of change.

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R

UNESCO (2023). Education for Sustainable Development.
Bianchi, G. et al. (2022). GreenComp: The European Sustainability Competence Framework. European Commission.
Borgemeister, C. (2020). Education for Sustainable Development in the 2030 Agenda.
Sánchez Milara & Cortés Orduña (2024). Possibilities and challenges of STEAM pedagogies.

References

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Thanks