Completed project · 2015–2017
Quality development in environmental education outside schools
The project supports quality development in environmental education centres. Their educational work enables children, young people and adults to acquire systemic knowledge for evaluating and acting on key issues such as biodiversity, climate protection and resource conservation. Centres emphasise authenticity, emotional and motivating experiences, and opportunities for practical collective environmental action, often cooperating with schools and other sectors of society.
Quality development considers the content and impact of provision, staff qualifications, particularly those of educators, facilities and operations. Educators' qualifications and motivation are central to educational quality. Appropriate initial training, opportunities and willingness to undertake continuing development, and conditions conducive to motivated work are essential if provision on environmental, conservation and sustainability issues is to reflect current and future challenges.
The project is led by the Association for Nature and Environmental Education (ANU), the umbrella organisation for environmental centres. As research partner, the University of Bremen's ITB conducts and analyses empirical surveys, organises a conference and two expert workshops, and documents findings and recommendations in academic articles and a book. Three planned master's dissertations use qualitative and quantitative methods to gather data and expert knowledge for ANU and its stakeholders.