The Role of Environmental Education in Fostering Students' Ecological Awareness

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the role of environmental education in fostering students' ecological awareness and identify learning approaches that can encourage change from knowledge to pro-environmental behavior. This study uses a literature review method by analyzing 20 relevant scientific journal articles. The analysis is carried out through identification, selection, grouping, comparison, and synthesis of previous research results. The results of the study show that environmental education contributes to the improvement of environmental knowledge, attitudes, awareness, intentions, environmental literacy, and pro-environmental behavior of students. However, environmental knowledge does not always directly produce behavioral changes because ecological actions are also influenced by experiences, social norms, perceptions of actionability, school culture, facilities, and student involvement. Experiential learning, problem-based learning, STEAM approach, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), use of digital media, project-based learning, local cultural integration, and the creation of a school environment that supports sustainability show potential in strengthening ecological awareness. Therefore, environmental education needs to be developed in a contextual, participatory, and sustainable manner so that ecological awareness does not stop at the mastery of knowledge, but develops into real habits and actions in daily life.