Experience with Practical Environmental Education in Primary Schools

Abstract

This paper relates ongoing research on environmental quality in the Brazilian school universe, with analyses and results from six schools. The objective is to achieve environmental education of students through exposure to the impacts of their school on city infrastructure. In the first two schools, the work plan addressed composting of food residues from the canteen. The work in the third school included measurements of raw waste composition and destinations for sorted waste. In the fourth school, students composted biodegradable residues, sorted inert waste and delivered it to reverse logistics. In the fifth school, the scope included water and energy management. The work with this community resulted in the proposal of an environmental management system. In the sixth school, the students developed score sheets for sustainable behavior, which referred to water and energy consumption, waste production and degree of sorting and noise levels. In conclusion, this research established quantifiers to show the contribution of a school to a sustainable city.