SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT: HOW TO ENGAGE STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY

Abstract

The present work investigates the impact of sustainable practices in the school environment, focusing on strategies that promote student and community engagement. The choice of the theme is justified by the growing need for environmental awareness and the formation of conscious and responsible citizens. The main objective is to analyze how the implementation of sustainable practices can transform school culture and contribute to social and environmental development. For this, the methodology used combines a bibliographic approach, which brings together a review of the literature on sustainability in education, with a quantitative analysis, through questionnaires applied in selected schools. The main results indicate that schools that adopt sustainable practices not only improve their environmental conditions, but also promote community involvement and encourage the formation of a culture of socio-environmental responsibility. In addition, environmental education tactics have proven effective in raising awareness among students and families, through actions that encourage active participation and strategic partnerships with local organizations. The most relevant conclusions highlight the urgent need to integrate these practices into the school routine as a fundamental step in the formation of a more responsible society, committed to the future of the planet and capable of facing contemporary challenges. Thus, the research contributes to the discussion about environmental education and the importance of schools as agents of change.