Students and Schools Strengthened by Sustainability Integrations

Source: Hurd, E., & Ormsby, A. (2020). Linking sustainability education with the Sustainable Development Goals in K-12 schools. Journal of Sustainability Education, December 2020 General Issue.

Criteria for selection: The mixed-methods study emphasizes that sustainability education needs to be accessible to all students, not just those in well-funded schools and addresses how environmental problems disproportionately affect low-income communities of color, making it as much about economic justice as it is about the environment.

LEARN Brief and Infographic Credits: Dr. Crystal P. Glover, Dr. Jeannie Haubert, Ashlea Sovetts, MFA

Overview: 

Rather than limiting sustainability education to traditional environmental science curricula, the study demonstrates how schools can embed these concepts into all academic subjects, operational practices, and community partnerships. The researchers adopted a case study methodology by examining four different schools across the United States to illustrate how this holistic approach cultivates systems thinking, civic engagement, and authentic problem-solving capabilities among students.

The study’s mixed-method combined quantitative demographic data with rich qualitative evidence gathered through classroom observations and stakeholder interviews. This methodological approach enabled the researchers to document both the scope of implementation and the nuanced impacts on teaching and learning practices. However, the authors were transparent in acknowledging a significant limitation in their sample selection: the participating schools predominantly served affluent communities with greater access to resources and support systems. This demographic bias raises important questions about the feasibility and scalability of WSS programs in under-resourced districts. It also highlights the need for future research to examine implementation strategies across diverse socioeconomic contexts.

Key Insights: 

1. WSS programs that integrate systems thinking, civic action, and SDGs are more effective than traditional environmental education approaches.
2. Student-driven action where teachers respond to student initiatives creates more meaningful learning than teacher-directed instruction.
3. Schools can serve as “models of sustainability” by transforming campus operations into living laboratories for learning.

Action Steps:

The article not only provides detailed examples but also extensive actionable resources (not sponsored) including:

• Compass Education for online SDG lessons
• A People’s Curriculum for the Earth for civic action
• National Wildlife Federation’s Pathways to Sustainability for eco-action teams
• Project Learning Tree for green schools programs
• Green Schools National Network for WSS implementation support

Districts can implement by:

1. Forming student eco-action teams. (see article for details)
2. Integrating sustainability themes across curriculum rather than as standalone units.
3. Developing campus sustainability projects that serve as living laboratories.
4. Establishing community partnerships for real-world problem-solving.

Full study:

http://www.susted.com/wordpress/content/linking-sustainability-education-with-the-sustainable-development-goals-in-k-12-schools_2020_12/