"It Challenges My Beliefs and My Confortability": Transformative Learning in a Sustainability Science Course for Preservice Elementary Teachers

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: Working With Teachers and Preservice Teachers in Environmental Education

Abstract

Local and global challenges are increasingly the consequences of human. We need continued interdisciplinary research to address these challenges; enhanced engagement in sustainability science education; and more sustainability literate. Elementary teachers play a key role in developing a sustainability literate society. Youth are future researchers and voters and can influence adults through intergenerational learning. Teacher education has the potential to make meaningful change by promoting the development of teachers knowledgeable about science content and passionate about sustainability. This can be accomplished by engaging preservice teachers in transformative learning experiences (as opposed to transmissive). This study explores the transformative learning of preservice teachers enrolled in a sustainability science course for future teachers.

Authors

• Andrea E. Weinberg

• Carlie D Trott, Colorado State University

• Eileen G. Merritt, Arizona State University

• Wendy Wakefield, Northern State University