A study to examine ways to increase the prevalence of courses in environmental studies using environmentally conscious technologies

Abstract

Over the past few years, an increasing number of schools in Japan have been certified as eco-friendly. These schools incorporate environmentally conscious technologies in order to reduce energy use in school structures and to promote environmental education. The current study ascertained the use of environmentally conscious technologies in environmental education in elementary and middle schools, and it proposed an environmental studies program to increase the prevalence of environmental education. A course in environmental studies was conducted during Open House week, students and their parents were surveyed, group interviews were conducted with teachers, and the course was assessed using an environmental efforts worksheet. Survey results revealed that over 90% of parents considered the course in environmental studies necessary. Group interviews revealed that a positive aspect of conducting a course in environmental studies during Open House week was that it effectively increased the prevalence of such courses. Interviews also revealed several problems: the way in which to relay the course guide and course data need to be described in detail, and the course guide needs to be further simplified. The environmental efforts worksheet, schools that implemented the course reduced CO2 emissions (kg/mo.) by an average of about 1.6 t.