Práticas pedagógicas e saberes ambientais: caminhos da educação ambiental em escolas e territórios camponeses

Abstract

Environmental Education in rural schools plays a crucial role in fostering ecological awareness and promoting sustainable practices among students. In rural areas, where direct interaction with nature is intense, Environmental Education enables learners to understand the importance of natural resources and the need to protect them. This type of education encourages sustainable agricultural practices and the responsible management of local resources, which are essential for maintaining the quality of life in rural communities. Furthermore, it promotes respect for biodiversity and the integration of traditional knowledge with scientific understanding, enriching the educational experience. Given the importance of Environmental Education in Rural Education, this research aimed to examine the inclusion of the theme of Environmental Education in the pedagogical practices developed by teachers working in schools located in the Antônio Conselheiro Settlement, as well as how Environmental Education can be identified in the students’ daily activities, with a focus on human practices affecting environmental resources. The present study was conducted in the Antônio Conselheiro Settlement, located in the municipality of Tangará da Serra – MT, through documentary analysis of the Political-Pedagogical Projects of the schools surveyed and interviews with educators and students. From this perspective, through practical activities and local intervention projects, students can develop skills to identify and solve environmental problems within their own communities. This approach not only contributes to environmental preservation but also strengthens the bond between school and community, promoting more integrated and sustainable development. Therefore, Environmental Education in rural schools is of essential importance for the formation of citizens who are aware and engaged in environmental protection, so that we may have a better future than the present—allowing future generations to also enjoy nature’s resources in harmony with it—and for humans to understand that sustainable practices in agriculture and rural life are fundamental for the continuity of life on Earth.