Portugal - Environmental Education

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Using waste materials for the confection of projects, organization, etc

Environmental Education in the Portuguese Curriculum

Each school chooses at least 3 of the following topics, to develop along the school year: - Human rights - Gender Equality - Interculturality - Sustainable Development - Environmental Education - Health

Our school has chosen to work all of these topics, with more emphasis on the Environmental Education topic.

The lack of green spaces on the school building is currently the main concern of this environmental policy.

Although the school has great facilities, there are not many green space where students can plant crops or create a garden. In addition, the school building is exposed to sunlight in the morning and most of the afternoon. 

- Air temperature control; - Dust absorption, making the air more purified and reducing atmospheric pollution; - CO2 consumption and oxygen production; - Physical and mental health benefits; - Aesthetic improvement.

The students did research on the benefits of the green spaces, especially in urban areas.

What do we already do to protect the environment and what can we improve?

1. What does our educational community do and know about protecting the environment?

The parents answered questionnaires about their daily habits concerning recycling, reusing and reducing the use of materials, the use of lights and water, their transportation habits, their knowledge about the local biodiversity, etc.

One of the classes was the subject of this survey that allowed us to get a more general notion of what families did and did not know concerning this topic.

Raising awareness of the educational community (parents, teaching and non-teaching staff, etc) to environmental issues and the school's concerns in this regard

Carry out garbage collection actions and encourage the participation of the surrounding community in them

The Eco-School project is a way of encouraging environmental good practices in several areas (biodiversity, oceans, reciclying, healthy and sustainable food, etc)

In Madeira Island, almost every school is an Eco-School, including Colégio do Marítimo. Since we joined the project, we have been awarded every year the Eco-School flag.

Solution: Creating a Vertical Garden

Decrease the use of paper through the reuse of used paper

Reduce the number of photocopies through the use of alternative strategies and methodologies, with a particular focus on digital technologies

Participation in competitions and exhibitions on environmental issues as a way of raising awareness to these issues

Inform and share relevant information about environmental issues through the segment “Momento Verde”, in the school's TV news

Conduct research and project work on environmental issues, climate change, impacts on society and the planet and possible solutions

Turn off lights when not in use and check that all spaces in the school have a label

Daily monitoring of lights being turned off

Check the conditions of the recycling bins in the various classrooms and school spaces and analyze whether the waste separation is being done correctly

Creating and sharing with the community an Eco-Code

How can we take advantage of the solar energy?

Alert students to excessive water consumption, appealing to a more sustainable management of water when washing hands at school

The parents knowledge and habits and the students ideas were all taken into consideration in the process of developing the school's environmental policy.

This policy will focus on different topics and will be developed over the present and the next school year.

Colégio do Marítimo - Environmental Policy.pdf

2. What do our students do and know about protecting the environment?

The students gave several ideas concerning different topics in which everyone can take action, such as...

Reuse clothes we do not use by donating them

Do not throw garbage in the forest or in the ocean

Turn off eletronic devices when these are not being used

Plant more trees and have more green spaces

The school has an important role in the preparation of young people as citizens of the future.

Portuguese curriculum has a "Citizenship" subject in which environmental education is contemplated (Lei de Bases do Sistema Educativo, Lei n.º 46/86, de 14 de outubro)

Students are prepared for a conscious reflection on spiritual, aesthetic, moral and civic values, as to ensure their full civic development.

Encouraging outdoor activities, for example, in the football field when possible

Promotion of activities in outdoor spaces outside the school through field trips and sports activities

A padlet was created for the students to share their ideas on how to help the planet.

Create a cookbook with healthy recipes shared by the students and their families

Create an organic garden at school and involve students in planting and maintaining it

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