Eco-Schools in Academic Research

As would be expected, the Eco-Schools programme has been heavily researched over the past twenty-five years since its inception. The type of research, however, varies country-to-country and by topicality. Some research has been conducted by third-parties; other research has been completed by the host organisation. Some research focuses on environmental footprint change; others on behaviour or attitudinal change, while still others focus on academic impact as well as student skills development.

In 2017, Ashim Shanker and Connie K. Chung from Harvard University developed fifty case studies of international organisations that promote teaching and learning in the 21st century. The publication, Case Studies from 50 Global Examples of Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century (Shanker, 2017) included a chapter specifically about the three FEE education programmes – Eco-Schools, YRE, and LEAF. The findings of the report were arranged thusly:

Intrapersonal Competencies

All three programmes develop in youth a sense of responsibility for the environment. Eco-Schools cultivate a mindset and a lifestyle that values sustainability.

Interpersonal Competencies

Eco-Schools help participants develop leadership skills, public speaking, meeting, negotiation and communications skills.

Cognitive Competencies

Students can develop the skills of critical analysis, problem solving, research, investigation and decision-making.

Attitudes and Values

Eco-Schools seek to motivate young people to make a difference and to share their pro-environment mindset and proactive behavior amongst family and friends, ultimately passing it on to future generations.

Pedagogy

Eco-Schools place great emphasis on involving the local community from the very beginning. By doing so, the lessons the students pick up are transferred back into the community where they take hold and lead to more sustainable, environmentally responsible behaviour patterns all around.

Read the Literature Review of Research Studies written by Laura Hickey, FEE Board Member, in the introduction section of ‘Changing Together’.