Could Physics teaching and Sustainability challenges be linked?

Abstract

Sustainability is getting mandatory for the continuing human development, where living conditions and resources are used to meet human needs without undermining the integrity and stability of the natural system. Sustainable Development is an interdisciplinary concept, including the Environmental, Health, Energy, Economic, and Socio-Cultural areas. Empowering young learners to create a sustainable future is critical in educating future responsible citizens. Education at Sustainability can also act as a vehicle to inspire the next generation of students to pursue a career in science. Physics plays a key role in the achievement of the SGDs, in particular regarding the sustainability in the Environmental, Health and Energy areas. The Erasmus+ GREEN-EDU project supported the development of new interdisciplinary approaches and teaching practices in science classrooms, enhancing the efficacy of teaching/learning physics by means of novel fields such as sustainable engineering, robotics and green biotechnology. Green education allows connecting abstract physics concepts to real-world technologies that are responding to environmental challenges. Under the umbrella of a green education curriculum, difficult physics concepts can be introduced and explained within a more interesting context, relevant to the everyday (and future) life of the students