Hands on! Preliminary data from research into education for sustainability at a Montessori school

Lewis, E., Baudains, C. and Mansfield, C. (2008) Hands on! Preliminary data from research into education for sustainability at a Montessori school. In: 15th Australian Association for Environmental Education (AAEE) Biennial Conference, 9 -12 July, Darwin, Northern Territory.

Abstract

This paper outlines education for sustainability, Education for Sustainability, at an independent Montessori primary school in Australia. The Montessori educational philosophy and curricula are discussed in terms of Education for Sustainability. A longitudinal analysis of Education for Sustainability at the school is presented: pre, during, and post 2005. The year of 2005 was a critical year for Education for Sustainability at the school because it was selected as one of the pilot schools involved in the national Sustainable Schools Initiative (SSI). Major developments occurred in Education for Sustainability at the school during this year. Education for Sustainability will be shown to be a growing feature of the Montessori educational experience.