Promoting Education for Sustainable Development
Sustainability and Stories
The Sustainability and Stories project provides schools and educators with access to online sustainability teaching resources.
The project centres on the use of children’s stories to promote education for sustainable development (ESD) as well as other teaching ideas and whole school approaches.
We have also tailored resources for small island developing states (SIDS), to align with local frameworks.
About
Sustainability and Stories is run by a team of educators, alumni and students from the Faculty of Education, with support from the MGSE Innovation Funding Scheme and the DHB Foundation.
Our goal is to provide schools and educators with a curated selection of free teaching resources that promote education for sustainable development (ESD). We have also tailored resources for small island developing states (SIDS) to align with local frameworks.
This includes children’s stories and lesson plans about sustainability, a curated range of teaching resources, and ideas for whole school approaches to sustainability.
These resources are free to access and designed to provide inspiration for promoting sustainable practices at a personal, classroom school and/or community level.
What is Education for Sustainable Development?
Educating young people to be better equipped to face the challenges of climate change is a crucial issue facing society. In the context of the Sustainable Development Goals, education has a key role to play in promoting sustainability: “education can, and must, contribute to a new vision of sustainable global development” (UNESCO, 2015).
As such, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) aims to equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes necessary to create a more sustainable future for all. ESD integrates content relevant to sustainable practices, responsible consumption and climate change. It also promotes learning that is active and participatory, and empowers learners to be action-oriented.
ESD in small island developing states
This project aims to promote Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in small island developing states (SIDS), recognizing they are at the frontline of experiencing the impact of climate change (Crossley, 2019).
Geographic and economic factors make ESD particularly vital within small island states. These nations are vulnerable to environmental changes such as rising sea levels, natural disasters, and changes in weather patterns. ESD can equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to adapt to mitigate the impacts of these changes.
International Literacy project – online sessions
In collaboration with the University of Melbourne's International Literacy Project, our team is available to facilitate online Zoom classes with primary school students using stories to promote awareness about sustainability.
For more information on some the books completed with our partner schools click here - https://sustainability-and-stories.org/international-literacy-project-2/
If you are interested in arranging a session, please email: literacyproject-mgse@unimelb.edu.au.
Our goal is to provide schools and educators in SIDS with access to teaching resources that are easy to use and that can support the greater understanding of sustainable practices within their local context.
The resources below are free to access. They provide practical teaching activities and strategies, and inspiration for how schools can promote sustainable practices at a personal, classroom school and/or community level.
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Stories about Sustainability
A collection of children's books which can be used to teach students about sustainability. The collection has been organised according to the following themes: waste, water, energy, conservation, climate change, and taking action. Each story is accompanied by free teaching resources created by our team. This includes lesson plans, PowerPoint presentations, and suggested activities.
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Whole School Approaches
We have compiled examples of successful whole school sustainability initiatives. These examples highlight some outstanding but achievable practices in schools around the world. Projects do not have to be on a large scale to be effective.
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Teaching Resources
A curated collection of sustainability teaching resources. All resources are free to access online and are adaptable across primary and middle school levels. The resources are organised according to the following themes: waste, water, ocean, energy, and conservation.
Our team has curated a list of online ESD teaching resources for schools and teachers across the Maldives and Tonga. Resources for other small island developing nations will be added over time.
The resources are free for schools and teachers to access online, and include lesson plans, activities, and stories about sustainability. All resources are adaptable for primary and middle school students.
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Maldives
The Fehi Madharusa (Green Schools) Program is designed to promote sustainable practices in schools across the Maldives. It focuses on four key themes: island, ocean, waste and innovation. Our collection of teaching resources aligns with these themes.
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Tonga
A collection of sustainability teaching resources, which are free for schools and teachers to access.
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Fiji
A collection of sustainability teaching resources created for use by Fijian schools and teachers.
Here is a collection of external websites that provide more useful information and ideas. We will continue to add to this over time.
INTERNATIONAL LITERACY PROJECT
The International Literacy Project is run by a team of educators and student volunteers from the Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne. Our vision is to promote literacy, sustainability practices and a connection to place in school communities around the world.
We use children’s stories to promote awareness about sustainability and promote education for sustainable development. Below you will find examples of books we have created with students in the Maldives, India and Malaysia.
Our team is available to facilitate online Zoom classes with primary school students using stories to promote awareness about sustainability.
YOUR CLIMATE SUPERPOWERS
Climate Superpowers is an interactive, strengths-based website that was created with and for young people, along with researchers from the University of Melbourne, to support young people's mental health in the face of climate change.
Through the website, young people can take a quiz to find out about their `climate superpowers' – social, natural, built, political, human, cultural and financial. They can then explore how they can use those superpowers by taking on actions for learning about climate change, self-care, everyday action and transforming society. There are over 120 actions to choose from, based on the stories and tips shared by 31 young people aged 12 to 25 in Victoria over a series of workshops in 2022.
WAKA MOANA
The Waka Moana Learning Hub provide access to learning resources, creating a confluence where knowledge and innovation meet. The primary goal is to amplify educational growth by providing educators with comprehensive, research-based resources across the Pacific.
Contact details
Project lead:
Dr Rhonda Di Biase
Senior Lecturer
Faculty of Education
Email: dibiaser@unimelb.edu.au