EDN - Earth Day Network
01/24/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/24/2025 11:39
Empowering Climate Action in Schools Through Project-Based Learning
Every year, January 24th marks International Education Day-a day to reflect on the transformative power of education. This is an ideal time to focus on the importance of climate education and the innovative methods that can make it more engaging and effective.
Education is the key to addressing climate change. It is the single strongest predictor of climate change awareness. Mainstreaming climate education will change mindsets and behaviors-not just for students but also for their parents, communities, and governments.
The World BankClimate change is a challenge that demands urgent action from all corners of the world. One of the most powerful ways to tackle this crisis is by equipping young people with the knowledge and skills they need to understand and respond to climate change. The next generation needs climate education that goes beyond the textbook-education that is engaging, actionable, and inspiring.
In the United States, climate education began to take shape in 2007 with the introduction of The Climate Change Education Act. Co-sponsored by then-Senator Barack Obama and Representative Michael Honda, the bill aimed to fund climate education programs in schools. While this was a significant step forward, a critical question remains: How do we teach kids about climate change in a way that inspires them to care-and act? Many say project-based learning is the answer.
Project-Based Learning: Activity-Based Climate Education
Project-Based Learning is an educational methodology whereby students are put to work with projects that have to be completed by providing solutions to real-life problems. Instead of just reading about climate change in a book, students are tasked to provide solutions to very real issues and learn in the process. This approach develops critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration-all skills that are instrumental in addressing climate change.
Studies, such as Lucas Education Research and the University of Michigan, prove that students in PBL classrooms do better than their peers in traditional classrooms. It makes sense when we think about it: teaching students to tackle real-life problems, like climate change, can make lessons more personally relevant and therefore engaging.
Why Project-Based Learning Works for Climate Education
PBL offers several benefits for both students and teachers, making it an effective approach for teaching climate change.
Increased Engagement
Tackling real-world problems motivates students, as they can see the tangible impact of their efforts.
Deeper Learning
PBL encourages students to move beyond memorization, developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills essential for addressing complex issues like climate change.
Real-World Application
Students develop skills that are applicable outside the classroom, giving them tools to address real-life challenges.
Collaboration and Communication
Most PBL projects require teamwork, enhancing communication and collaboration skills.
Interdisciplinary Learning
Climate change touches nearly every subject-science, social studies, language arts, and more. PBL integrates these areas, offering a holistic learning experience.
Studies show that 65% of young people want to understand how climate change will affect their futures. PBL aligns with this desire, as it empowers students to find solutions to real-world problems and reinforces the idea that they can make a difference.
Inspiring Project Ideas for Climate Education
At EarthDay.org, our core focus of climate education includes three critical components: climate mental wellbeing, green muscle memory, and climate solutions. Many of Earth Day's campaigns can align with PBL to meet these components:
Zero Waste
Students can organize clean-up drives, educate people through campaigns, or suggest some innovative alternatives to single-way plastics.
In this project, students can engage in research regarding the environmental impact of the fashion industry, host workshops on sustainability, and even design their own eco-friendly clothing line.
Students can calculate the impact of their diet and raise awareness for sustainable eating like sourcing food locally and eating produce that is in season.
These projects empower students to be part of the solution, fostering a sense of agency that helps alleviate their climate anxiety, while also equipping them with the knowledge to continue their climate action with less effort in the future.
Join the Earth Day Educator Initiative
In honor of the 55th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2025, we announce a new program that brings together educators from around the world. The new Earth Day Educator Representative program establishes an international network of teachers that would advance climate education in schools. Through this program, teachers will have access to fully free and seamlessly integrated climate education resources for their classrooms.
We also believe that students' voices should be heard. That's why, in April 2025, we'll be hosting the Earth Day Showcase to highlight student-led climate projects from schools around the world. This event will help amplify the work of young climate advocates and show the power of education in driving change.
Educators can get involved by registering their schools as Earth Day Educator Representatives and submitting student's climate projects to the Earth Day Showcase. By participating, educators and students will be joining a global movement for climate action.