ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND SUSTAINABILITY: INTEGRATION OF SCHOOL, FAMILY AND SOCIETY

Abstract

This article presents a research excerpt developed as part of the curricular activity called Environmental Residency, from the Graduate Program in Natural Resource Management and Local Development in the Amazon (PPGEDAM), of the Center for the Environment (NUMA), at the Federal University of Pará (UFPA). The project was carried out at the Department of Culture in partnership with the Departments of Education, Agriculture, and Environment, in the municipality of Ponta de Pedras, located on Marajó Island, Pará State, Brazil. It addresses the experience of an elementary school planning process focused on the cross-cutting approach of Environmental Education. The objective was to guide integrated pedagogical practices as a possibility for developing interdisciplinary work. The research adopted a qualitative approach, using Action Research (Thiolent, 1986), the Focus Group technique (Morgan, Fern), and the study of (Japiassú, 1976). The results highlighted the importance of collective planning, showing that Environmental Education goes beyond concepts, becoming habits of care, a reflective exercise on the importance of natural resources for society, sustainability supported by public policies, and the conservation of resources for future generations and the planet’s health.