Infusing sustainability across the curriculum

Abstract

Examples of education for sustainability are emerging in a variety of situations throughout the country. At the classroom level, teachers are using sustainability as a context for teaching core subjects as well as teaching sustainability as its own subject. Sustainability can also provide a context for classroom projects, allowing students to apply academic knowledge and skills in order to solve real problems and provide authentic community service. A number of schools and several school districts are focusing on sustainability-centered learning themes that integrate disciplinary learning. Infusing sustainability into the curriculum can result in students becoming more engaged in classroom learning, building twenty-first century skills, and connecting to their community.