Environmental education in biology teaching: strategies to promote sustainable awareness in secondary education

Abstract

Environmental Education in Biology teaching plays an essential role in the formation of students who are aware of and committed to sustainability. This study analyzes pedagogical strategies that contribute to the promotion of environmental awareness in secondary education, highlighting the importance of integrating Environmental Education into the Biology curriculum. The main objective is to understand how different teaching methodologies can foster the development of values, attitudes, and knowledge aimed at environmental preservation. Methodologically, this is a qualitative study based on a literature review of authors addressing Environmental Education, Biology teaching, and active pedagogical methodologies. The results indicate that strategies such as inquiry-based learning, problem-based learning, collaborative teaching, and the Science-Technology-Society-Environment (STSE) approach are essential to make the teaching-learning process more dynamic and meaningful. It was found that active student participation significantly contributes to the development of environmental awareness, allowing the practical application of knowledge acquired in the classroom. Furthermore, contextualizing content to local realities and valuing traditional knowledge strengthen the connection between school and community, promoting more relevant learning. However, challenges were identified, such as lack of teaching resources, insufficient teacher training, and rigid curricula, which limit the effective implementation of Environmental Education. Despite these challenges, it is concluded that, when properly applied, Environmental Education in Biology teaching is a powerful tool for forming critical and responsible citizens, contributing to sustainable development.