The Understanding of Environmental Problems through the Study of Cooperation

Abstract

The study in "the period for integrated study" is one of the most important studies to acquire the ability of "zest of life". This paper reports the feature and the effectiveness of the new study program in "the period for integrated study" for the third grade students of Shonan Shirayuri Gakuen Junior High School. In this study, the students learn about environmental problems through problem-solving learning, discussions and experiments which were designed by their selves. Teachers who majored in special science subjects support the students in deciding on their experiments. The experience of experiments and learning of the other group's research makes the students more aware of how global environmental problems are related to their lives. Also the students make concept maps at the beginning of the research and at the end of the learning in this program. Using a concept map with "myself" label as a study tool, presentation tool, and evaluation tool, the students can understand that the environmental problems which researched are connecting to their own life. The discussion making a concept map promotes students' awareness about diversified ideas and reconstruction of concepts. Through this learning, the students understand how important it is that their own action can help to save the environment. In this school, this program has been used for several years by some teachers. Every year, we can get almost the same result. Therefore, this study program in "the period for integrated study" is a meaningful tool in the future of science education.