'Energy' : a curriculum pack for the EkoSkola programme

Abstract

Subsequent to the brief introduction regarding the importance of Environmental Education, the study focuses on the reviewing of literature with regards to the implementation of Environmental Education principles in the local primary sector and the Ekoskola programme. Insights from the major international summits and conferences influencing Environmental Education (Tbilisi, UNCED and UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development) as well as available international EcoSchools material are included. The project aims at developing a cross-curricular Environmental Education pack on the chosen theme 'Energy'. The proposed set of activities which is targeted for all the different primary school years, aims at providing the pupils with opportunities to engage in hands-on tasks that relate to real life contexts. Teachers are provided with clear and detailed guidelines concerning the development of the activities as well as with all the necessary resources required in order for the activities to be effectively delivered. Nonetheless teachers are suggested to adapt each activity as they deem best for their pupils' needs and abilities. The effectiveness of the curriculum pack was evaluated through its distribution in local primary schools, where it was evaluated by primary school teachers teaching different year groups through a distributed questionnaire.