Ecologizing education empowers children to form new connections with nature

Publish Date: Wednesday October 30, 2024

If you’re hungry for an ‘educational revolution that champions Mother Nature’, Ecologizing Education is a must-read book, says FCCT’s Education Manager, Aidan Duncan.

Diving into this book found me discovering what amounts to a radical makeover for our schooling system. Authors Sean Blenkinsop and Estella Kuchta don’t just stop at the usual eco-friendly programs; they’re all about shaking things up at a cultural level, pushing for an eco-conscious and fairer society.

With a spotlight on two schools in British Columbia, Canada, they showcase how this approach sparks a deep-rooted bond between kids and nature, setting the stage for a brighter, greener future.

Packed with real-life tales and a dash of hope, Ecologizing Education is a must-read for anyone hungry for an educational revolution that champions Mother Nature.

Inspiring movement

Late last year the Scottish Government launched its Target 2030 document. The vision is ‘To build an inspiring movement for change so every 3-18 place of education becomes a Sustainable Learning Setting by 2030’.

This book has arrived at a time when Scotland’s schools are thinking about how they will respond to the Government’s request to build more opportunities for sustainability education, and to ‘ecologise’ the learning settings.

The authors propose a pedagogical strategy, known as ecologizing education, that goes beyond traditional “green” initiatives to foster eco-consciousness and social justice on a broader scale.

This method involves identifying and tackling “anti-ecological” elements within current educational systems to establish a classroom environment that aligns with the natural world’s diversity and interdependence.

By demonstrating how ecologizing education empowers children to form new connections with nature and progress towards mutual healing, the authors present a roadmap for enacting meaningful change amidst various climate challenges:

5 steps to Ecologizing Schools:

1 Beginning: Envisioning and Creating Eco-Schools
2 Relating: Overcoming Isolation and Alienation
3 Healing: Facing Pain and Working Toward Reconciliation
4 Theorising: Exploring the five Ologies of Cultural Change
5 Practicing: Ecologizing Curriculum and Pedagogy

This framework draws us into a world where education isn’t just about facts, but also about nurturing a deep love for our planet.

Ecologizing Education is a timely, practical and inspiring read for parents, caregivers, environmentalists, and educators seeking a comprehensive educational approach that prioritizes nature and environmental awareness.

For years, those who educate outdoors have felt the need to build a strong case in response to the question “why Outdoor Education?”. Could this book be the catalyst for a change in rhetoric to “Why educate indoors?”.

Ecologizing Education: Nature-Centered Teaching for Cultural Change
By Sean Blenkinsop and Estella Kuchta
Cornell University Press