From Intention to Impact: Pre-Service Visions of Student Agency in Climate and Sustainability Education

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: SIG-Environmental Education Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

This study examines how pre-service teachers (PSTs) envision K–8 student engagement in sustainability education through Action-Oriented Pedagogies (AOP). Drawing on 116 unit plans from a Sustainability Science course for future educators, we analyzed how PSTs integrate six AOP student roles: Artist, Solutions Steward, Innovator, Scientist, Implementer|Builder|Maker, and Advocate. Most PSTs included at least one role, with Advocate most common and Solutions Steward least utilized. While many emphasized intention-setting, fewer enabled meaningful student agency or authentic decision-making. This gap between intention and action reveals a need for stronger support in teacher preparation. Although AOP holds potential, PSTs require more guidance to move beyond awareness-raising and foster transformative, student-led sustainability learning. Implications are offered for strengthening teacher education for sustainability.

Authors

• Dilraba Anayatova, Arizona State University

• Andrea E. Weinberg, Arizona State University

• Michelle Jordan, Arizona State University

• Nicole Oster, Arizona State University