The Future of Education

Currently, humans consume the resources of two planets. Consequently, we are exceeding the planetary boundaries of the one earth we have. Climate researchers speak of a "planetary emergency" and call for rigorous measures to counteract the irreversible effects of climate change [1].  This requires social change at all levels [2]. Without question, there is not much time left in the state of the current climate crisisto move from knowledge to action.

But how do we inspire action on the climate crises and initiate transformation processes towards a future worth living? What are the implications for teaching in schools in this context? What is the potential of artistic practices and what role can artistic education play here? And: To what extent are experimental, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary settings useful? These questions we will address in our paper both theoretically and using examples from practice.

The basis for our paper is the research project “Spaces of Cultural Democracy” which is a cooperation between the Inter-University Organization Science & Arts (Paris Lodron University Salzburg / University Mozarteum Salzburg) and the Salzburg Museum. As a part of this project a transdisciplinary team, consisting of researchers, teachers, students and artists from different ‘disciplines’ develop concepts and materials for artistic-scientific laboratories in various contexts. These concepts and materials are being tested from April until June 2022 with about 35 students between the ages of 16 and 18 at an Austrian high school. Within these laboratories they have the possibility to deal with questions around the topic of sustainable nutrition experimentally, from both an artistic and a scientific perspective. The work process of the students is accompanied scientifically through observation, audio logs, interviews and open questionnaires. We will take up this interdisciplinary project entitled “Future with Future. Super food!?” in our paper as an example, give insights into the working processes and reflect it regarding the questions above.

Keywords: spaces of cultural democracy, climate crises, sustainable nutrition, artistic-scientific laboratories, significance of artistic practices 

References:

[1] Lenton, Timothy M. et al. (2019). Climate tipping points – too risky to be against. Nature 575 (pp. 592–595).

[2] Sachs, Jeffrey D. et al. (2019). Six Transformations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Nature Sustainability (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0352-9, 22.02.2022).