Waste management : a cross-curricular educational pack

Abstract

Research literature and international conferences have repeatedly identified Education for Sustainable Development as an effective tool and process conducive to a positive and enduring change in citizens' behaviour and lifestyles. Through their knowledge, consciousness and concern for the environment citizens use their understanding and awareness to safeguard, preserve and make use of the environment and its resources sustainably for the sake of present and future generations. With this concept in mind, this dissertation focused on the development of an educational cross-curricular resource pack that promotes sustainability and waste minimisation practices in line with the principles outlined by the Eco-Gozo project. The pack aims to cultivate in teachers, parents and primary school students a sense of appreciation towards waste as a resource. It consists of a set of six child-friendly stories dealing with a range of waste minimisation practices and scenarios which children encounter in their daily routines. These are complimented with a set of teachers' guidelines and supplementary activities presenting students with hands-on, minds-on and learner-centred activities. The activities presented are cross-curricular, linking to Primary school subjects ranging from Mathematics, English, Maltese, Social Studies, Science, Creative Arts and Physical Education. The resource pack was evaluated by six experienced Primary School teachers from both the State and Church educational sector. Evaluations have consistently showed that the pack is a useful resource for the integration of Education for Sustainable Development in the Primary School curriculum.