Developing Sustainable Practices in Classrooms and Schools

Description

As climate change and environmental challenges grow more urgent, adopting sustainable practices has never been more important.

Education, as a foundation of society, has the power to lead this transformation. By weaving eco-friendly values and actions into classroom life, teachers not only conserve resources but also nurture these vital principles in the next generation.

This course is designed for educators and schools committed to creating greener, more sustainable learning environments. Participants will reflect on their current practices, identify areas for improvement, and explore eco-friendly alternatives that can be implemented in classrooms and institutions.

Through guided activities, they will learn how to adopt sustainable habits, inspire colleagues and students, and influence the wider school community.

Recognizing the pivotal role of teachers in shaping future citizens, the course emphasizes both personal growth and collective responsibility.

By the end, participants will be equipped with practical tools and strategies to reduce energy, water, and paper use—combining theory with hands-on application—while modeling sustainable living for their students.

The ultimate vision is to cultivate classrooms where teachers and learners work together as active stewards of the planet.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the principles of sustainable living and their application in schools.

  • Recognize and avoid misleading “greenwashing” practices.

  • Apply composting techniques for both school and personal use.

  • Implement effective waste-reduction methods to work toward a zero-waste classroom.

  • Assess the environmental impact of everyday products and select or create eco-friendly alternatives.

  • Design strategies to minimize water, paper, and energy use in educational settings.

  • Explain the challenges of microplastics and integrate related awareness activities into teaching.

Schedule

Day 1 – Course Launch & Greenwashing Awareness

  • Welcome and course overview, introduction to the school, and outline of external activities

  • Icebreaker and networking activities

  • Presentations from participants about their schools

  • Reflection on personal lifestyle habits to identify areas for improvement

  • Introduction to “greenwashing” and strategies to recognize and avoid it

Day 2 – Composting & Outdoor Environmental Education

  • Comprehensive guide to composting: benefits, best practices, and school applications

  • Outdoor learning session (weather permitting) showcasing innovative approaches to environmental education

Day 3 – Waste Reduction in Practice

  • Strategies for reducing waste at school and at home

  • Exploring the environmental impact of common household products, with a focus on detergents

  • Hands-on workshop: creating eco-friendly soap

Day 4 – Sustainable Strategies & Action Planning

  • Group work on strategies to reduce water, paper, and energy consumption in classrooms

  • Development of action plans for schools and organizations to manage resources effectively

Day 5 – Understanding Microplastics

  • Discussion on microplastics: definitions, impacts, and teaching strategies

  • Lesson planning workshop: integrating microplastic awareness into the curriculum

Day 6 – Course Wrap-Up & Cultural Experience

  • Course evaluation: reflection on competencies gained, feedback, and group discussion

  • Awarding of Certificates of Attendance

  • Excursion and cultural activities to close the program

For groups!

Special Offer for Groups

🌱 Planning to join as a team? We’ve got you covered!

  • Bring together a group of 7 or more, and we’ll schedule the course on the dates that suit you best.

  • Gather 10 or more participants, and you’ll not only choose the dates but also the language of delivery.

The course is available in Spanish, English, Italian, Romanian, French, and Portuguese—making it easy to learn in the language you’re most comfortable with.

Let’s make sustainability a shared journey for your school or organization!