New Perspectives in Science Education

Green education can act as a vehicle in order to inspire the next generation of students to peruse a career in science. Empowering youth to create a sustainable future is critical in the process of preserving the planet and in educating future responsible citizens [1]. With green education curriculum a science subject which may be considered abstract is put into a familiar context, relevant to everyday life of the students. Green education connects abstract science concepts to real world technologies that are solving environmental challenges [2,3]. Novel fields such as green chemistry, sustainable engineering / robotics and green biotechnology can be implemented into classroom teaching under the umbrella of green education. In order to support teachers around Europe to integrate green education principles in STEM curriculum the project Green education for a sustainable future-Green Edu has been created. Green Edu is an Erasmus funded project that brings together universities and schools from Poland Italy Romania Turkey and Greece. An online platform is being developed that will act as a repository of STEM green education resources, focusing on novel fields of green chemistry, green biotechnology and sustainable engineering and robotics. The platform integrates micro-MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses/Content) – an innovative approach for developing STEM laboratories that will motivate teachers in the creation of flexible personalized teaching/learning paths and to increase students’ interest and involvement, due to the innovative methodology; of their learning. This paper focuses on presenting educational resources developed for primary and secondary school and results from their implementation in the classroom.

 

Keywords: STEM education, sustainability, green chemistry, green education.

 

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