ECOpassport for GREEN schools and educators- create the ECOroots for learning, sustainability and collaboration (AZORE ISLAND, PORTUGAL))

COURSE OVERVIEW: Education for nature, often called ecological education, is not included in the school curriculum, not even among optional programmes. Teachers, particularly those who are not specialized in areas related to nature conservation, have very few opportunities to learn about education programmes and efficient education methods in the vast area of nature and natural resource conservation as a basic pillar for sustainable development. On the other hand, when children spend time outside, exploring in nature, it can improve their creativity and imagination, classroom performance, and academic achievement, as well as their overall physical and mental health.
Therefore, this course will initiate activities to address the issues listed above, based on the assumption that children's education may have a significant impact on the long term for the correct perception and approach to sustainable development, including for the acknowledgement of the importance of protected areas, not only for nature and environment protection but also for sustainable development
LEARNING OUTCOMES

-to understand the basic concepts of sustainability and of Education for Sustainable Development

--to provide theoretical and empirical experiences pertaining to ecological education for school settings, and their contribution towards developing knowledge and skills for active citizenship and quality of life;

-to create solutions for making education center staff and organizations more eco-friendly;

-to create best practices, exchange on tools, methods and applied programs regarding ecological awareness in Europe

- to learn how to engage students with and care for their local environment, both in their school buildings and in their local community

- to cope the staff with practical tools for guiding the student’s to reduce the ecological footprint through ecological awareness

-to be aware of the impact of our daily habits to the environment and ways to change this behavior

- to encourage teachers to plan concrete activities focused on sustainability and climate change education

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METHODOLOGY

ECOpassport for GREEN schools and educators teaches teachers and students how to think, not what to think, about complex environmental issues. Our activities are fun and hands-on, cover the total environment, and connect children to nature. The methods applied will help teachers to engage students in learning, improve student achievement, and grow 21st century skills that tomorrow’s decision-makers need to succeed – including the ability to think critically and make informed decisions. The course will have a non-formal approach and 80% of the activities will be held outdoor.

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PROGRAMME

The programme is designed on learning modules. The detailed agenda will be given after pre-registration.

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LEARNING MODULES: education for sustainability, environmental education, GREEN schools model, ECOgreen toolkit, 3 R (reduce reuse recycle) concept: , PLT Green Schools, apps for environment education, 5 investigations model( energy, environmental quality, water, waste & recycling ,), digital ECO

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DAY 1-Course opening event; Ecological education and culture; European and global challenges

Interpretation of nature and animation for nature. Similarities and differences with environmental education.

DAY2-Why Education for Sustainability?

Education for sustainability: what is and what is not ; why EfS is important for students? what does it mean to integrate EfS in the school? Sustainability RAINBOW model

DAY3- What is a GREEN school? Why green school? How do I GREEN my school: 4 pilar for health and sustainable schools and 7 Steps to a GREEN School; Ecological footprint measurements

DAYS 4,5& 6 -ECOgreen toolkit: 15 ECO RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS (Teaching environmental education through various disciplines)

DAY 7-Apps for ecological education : virtual field trips and more

DAY8-Action plan- design the ECOpassport for GREEN schools

ECOnetwrok- commitment of the ECOpassport ;

Disseminatin plan and sustenability ideas

Course closure event-handing out certificates and Europass documents

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PREPARATION AND FOLLOW-UP
BEFORE: Every participant will have to fill a questionnaire which helps the trainers to customize the course to better fit their needs. Attendants will get instructions and material which will help them to be prepared for the course’s needs.
AFTER: The participants will get material which includes information about all the areas covered at the course, lesson plans , all the produced outcomes of the course, useful links and more.

CERTIFICATIONS
At the end of the course, each participant will be awarded with the Europass Mobility Certificate, together with a descriptive certificate of attendance. Both documents will be provided in double language. ( course language and participant national language)

DIRECT LINK FOR REGISTRATION:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJS3bLovsAG8zOx95UvWluNjfFAoSKIE2D44J4XzaZaN8BwA/viewform

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