Teaching Through Modeling: Four Schools' Experiences in Sustainability Education

Abstract

In this article, the authors examine how 4 innovative secondary schools model sustainable practices to their students. During school visits, the authors conducted interviews, observed daily life, and reviewed school documents. They found that modeling is a valuable approach to sustainability education, promoting both learning about sustainability and adoption of sustainable behaviors in these schools. The 4 primary means by which the schools model sustainability are individual role models, school facilities and operations, school governance, and school culture. Other schools interested in sustainability education will likely find these approaches to modeling useful.

Keywords:

• education for sustainability
• modeling
• sustainability education
• sustainable schools