Práticas de pesquisa em educação ambiental em diferentes espaços institucionais - educação ambiental em Portugal: investigação sobre as práticas

Abstract

The follow-up of an UNESCO proposal was by 1984/85 the starting point for the development of studies on Environmental Education in Portugal. A movement involving ministries, environmental organizations and secondary schools set up a project called Environmental Education for the Development based on protocols among institutions which assumed that Environmental Education is an interdisciplinary process that can help resolution of community problems and it is a long life learning process. Several projects were started at school level, often in connection with universities, and at the same time also some research projects were developed in order to enhance those experiences as good educational practices. In this paper we will introduce some of those research perspectives, like case study, ethnographic study and narrative. To clarify these perspectives, some examples of studies developed with teachers in Portugal will be given. Promoting the innovative experiences is the best way to involve teachers and students in Environmental Education, in order to change attitudes for life. Today we think that quality of life means a collective participation and the engagement on earth sustainability, with an ecocentric view, in opposition to an anthropocentric one. That's one of the reasons that curricula should include these items. To make students aware of the importance of their behaviour on the management of resources, as well as observant and sensitive to the environment, at the same time learning how to discuss and argue on defence of their own opinions, is part of a process towards education for environment and sustainability. This is of major responsibility for teachers as educators. The message is to awake the consciences to change persons' undesirable behaviours.