Growing Green Minds: Analyzing OER for Environmental Education for Grades 5 to 7 in BC

Abstract

The study examines the availability of Open Educational Resources (OER) for environmental education in Grades 5 to 7 in British Columbia (BC). In a time of escalating environmental challenges, providing young learners with the knowledge and skills to understand and promote involvement with global issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource conservation is essential. OER offer an opportunity to provide accessible, adaptable, and engaging materials that align with BC's curriculum and support UNESCO's Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to quality education and sustainability. Despite their potential, the extent to which existing OER meet the needs of BC educators is not well understood. This research addresses that gap by using a pragmatic interpretive framework and conducting a qualitative document analysis of OER repositories. Documents will be assessed based on their relevance to environmental education and alignment with BC’s core competencies. The outcome of this analysis will be a curated list of existing OER that teachers can integrate into their curriculum. Thus, supporting educators in accessing high-quality materials that promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices among youth. Findings will be shared with educators, policymakers, and environmental organizations to encourage OER use for environmental education in BC and to contribute to the broader discussion on OER adoption in K-12. This research will provide a sustainable solution for an ever-changing world.

Keywords: Open Educational Resources (OER), Environmental & Sustainable Education (ESE), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Grades 5 to 7, British Columbia (BC) curriculum, document analysis, K-12 education