Action-Oriented Pedagogy in Environmental Literacy

<< Background >>In the case of students, the identified needs were: the need to participate in practical and experiential activities (planting, selective collection, educational nature trips, creative recycling workshops, etc.); the need to study about climate change, biodiversity, circular economy not only in science classes, but also in other subjects; The need to be actively involved in decision-making related to the school's transition to a green school (through ecology clubs, project proposals, etc. Teachers requested: ESD courses and training, the use of non-formal methods, specific teaching materials: worksheets, guides, books, experiment kits, equipment for practical activities (gardening tools, selective collection bins, etc.; flexibility in planning to integrate green themes into the school curriculum; support from the school management for the implementation of projects, the establishment of partnerships with the community. Parents requested: clear and constant information on the green school status, what the activities entail and what impact they will have on the education and safety of their children; the need to actively participate in school actions (volunteering, workshops, planting, collection of materials), to contribute with ex<< Objectives >>By implementing the project, we aimed to increase by 20% the participation of students, teachers and parents from the schools involved in the project in ESD activities by increasing the share of learning outside the classroom; implementing a pedagogical model focused on changing attitudes and developing practical skills, beyond the classroom (awareness, critical thinking), adopting sustainable ecological practices in everyday life (selective collection, reducing plastic consumption, saving water and energy); increasing by 20% the number of educators who address ESD aspects in formal and informal activities and preparing them for activities outside the classroom. Beyond developing students' practical skills (green skills) (urban gardening, composting, recycling old objects) we strived to increase the number of students involved in planting campaigns, greening, monitoring environmental quality, i.e. a spirit of initiative and active citizenship. In short, we aimed to increase the number of students participating in ESD activities, to implement a pedagogical model that combines classroom learning with learning outside the classroom, and to raise awareness among the school communities involved about the impact of individual recurring << Implementation >>Depending on the specific objectives, we carried out specific activities structured in 4 categories: school, teachers, students, parents. For example: for OS1 at school levels, we developed a plan for ESD by diversifying learning environments, we ensured the logistics for multiplying and diversifying learning environments, we developed a portfolio of local and departmental partnerships for the transition to a green school, we created the necessary conditions for training practitioners (teachers, educators, professors, counselors) who carried out activities outside the classroom. For teachers, we implemented theoretical ESD training activities, practical training activities in the outdoor methodology for ESD, training activities for carrying out non-formal outdoor inclusive lessons on sustainability education. For students, we carried out activities on the practical use of digital applications for information on sustainable behavior, familiarization activities on the benefits of volunteering in environmental protection actions, initiation activities in the field of values and principles of European citizenship active in the field of ESD. For parents: awareness activities on the effect of family practices on consumption, transportat<< Results >>A Glossary of Terms in the Field of Action-Oriented Pedagogy (AOP), Guide to Good Practices in Action-Oriented Pedagogy, Course Support for Teachers “The Psychology of Sustainability. A Close Link between Mind and Planet”, a Portfolio of Digital Resources for Action-Oriented Pedagogy, A website https://environmental-literacy.ro/, a blog, An ESD Methodology and documentary materials on the Characteristics of the Green School, A Teaching/Learning Methodology Outside the Classroom