Approaches and proposals for education for biodiversity

The third online training meeting of the Ocean Schools 2024/2025 academic year invites teachers of all levels, educators, and cultural mediators to delve into the issues related to education for biodiversity, from both theoretical and empirical points of view.

Speakers include Monica Guerra and Greta Persico from the Department of Human Sciences for Education “Riccardo Massa” - University of Milano-Bicocca.

The meeting proposes a theoretical and methodological reflection on education for biodiversity, starting from national and international literature, and on the basis of research and training experiences gained in the context of the actions promoted for the National Biodiversity Future Center.

In this framework, the different educational methods identified in the field of education and biodiversity will be introduced, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, to then delve into experiential and participatory approaches that structure proposals often in continuity with the history of ecological education.

Educating for biodiversity is important for the protection of our planet today, and for future generations.

Monica Guerra is a full professor of General and Social Pedagogy at the Department of Human Sciences for Education "Riccardo Massa" at the University of Milan-Bicocca, where she coordinates the Degree Course in Educational Sciences and teaches Early Childhood Pedagogy, Environmental Pedagogy, and Experiential and Participatory Theories and Methodologies for Education. She is the director of the interuniversity Master’s Degree "Education and Nature. Skills for ecological education and sustainability". She is the scientific director of the magazine Bambini, as well as of several editorial series, and founding president of the cultural association Bambini e Natura. Among her numerous publications, she recently edited Educare per la biografia. Approcci, ricerche e proponenti (with G. Persico and A. Galimberti, FrancoAngeli, 2024) and Educazione e natura. Fondamenti, prospettive, possibili (with M. Antonietti, F. Bertolino and M. Schenetti, FrancoAngeli, 2022).

Greta Persico, a PhD student, works as a fixed-term researcher at the Department of Human Sciences for Education “Riccardo Massa” at the University of Milan-Bicocca, where she teaches Environmental Pedagogy, and at the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC). She deals with education for biodiversity, relationships between minority groups and institutions, and gender issues. Through an interdisciplinary approach, she has developed an interest in creative and participatory methodologies as useful tools for promoting experiential education and co-constructed knowledge. She is also a trainer and consultant for public bodies and the Third Sector.

The event is reserved for the entire teaching staff at all levels, educators and cultural mediators.

Participation is free of charge with required registration at the following link.