Promoting Earth sciences teaching-learning in the Italian schools: a research of learning objects, effective educational approaches, to improve skills and competences

In the Italian context, where Earth sciences are poorly considered in the education system and in the common thinking, to promote a widespread and deep-rooted culture of natural hazards, the danger inherent in the geological evolution of the territory, the responsible use of the environment, the perception of phenomenon as part of the dynamics of the Earth is a priority.

The goal of this work is to promote Earth sciences education, particularly in the Italian schools, to increase the interest of students towards geosciences, to enhance teachers’ competences in the use new and more effectives educational inductive and adductive approaches, using tools, paths and learning objects, based on hands-on practices, experimented in schools of all levels of education. The unifying principle is the research of models and guidelines to produce effective practices, easy to be shared or realized in the school.

All the educational tools have been tested and evaluated and are collected in easy kits now freely usable. All the materials and the educational paths are presented in a working booklet freely downloadable. The result is an increasing sensitiveness towards Earth science teaching -learning, a widespread awareness towards the need of promoting competences and skills and a growing knowledge of the inquiry approaches. Some experiences are in fact tested also referring to the acquired skills and competences of the students before and after their use.

This experience has shown also that Earth science is in effect the discipline that more promote citizenship and transversal skills and, furthermore develops the ideas of system and complexity.