A Socio‐ecological Approach to Interdisciplinary Environmental Education in Senior High Schools

Abstract

A broad socio‐ecological approach to environmental education is founded on general educational goals and on societal processes towards a sustainable society. This approach entails both individual and structural aspects of environmental problem solving. It has as its goal that students learn to explore and understand structures and processes in selected social systems (e.g. shopping centre, school cafeteria, recreation places) and their impact on natural systems and that they cooperate in the social system on measures towards a sustainable society. In order to support teachers transfering socio‐ecological environmental education into school practice two instruments (the issue analysis technique and structural maps) are provided. Accompanying seminars were offered to interdisciplinary teacher teams cooperating in eight senior high schools. The seminars were used as platforms for interdisciplinary discussions and cross‐curricular planning among the teachers. Principles of conducting an open project process are shown in the light of the socio‐ecological approach to environmental education.