New Competences to Develop in Students to Help Them Get Involved in Sustainable Development While They Learn Through Inquiry Methods

Abstract

The sustainability competences field was established because of current complex problems: climate change, desertification, pandemics… These interdependent, contradictory and urgent problems do not have immediate solutions. To solve problems, to take advantage of opportunities, to become agents of change and managers of a society in transition, learners should develop key competences in sustainability. In sustainability science, researchers recommend the development of many key competences linked to complex problems analysis and societal transformation. The analysis of the Canadian science and technology curricula highlights two common pedagogical approaches: inquiry and technological problem solving. Some sustainability competences feature among the analyzed science programs’ objectives: problem solving, critical thinking and creativity. Other competences could advantageously be added: strategic action; systemic, design and futures thinking.