Abstract

AMARAL, Fernanda Maria Duarte do et al. The role of environmental education in changing school students’ perceptions of and attitudes toward coral reefs in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil. RGCI [online]. 2014, vol.14, n.4, pp.581-590. ISSN 1646-8872.  https://doi.org/10.5894/rgci513.

The objective of this study was to investigate attitudes regarding the conservation of reef environments at the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago. The project was conducted with students aged 10-18, in 2005, and included several educational activi- ties, as well as the creation of a Reef Environment Museum at the local public school; questionnaires were administered in order to compare students' knowledge before and after these activities by using reference concepts of reefs, corals, environ- mental education and citizenship. We also analyzed students’ views on the importance of corals, possible benefits brought about by reefs, changes in the marine environment, and their interest in participating in projects related to the conservation of reef environments. Initially, corals and reefs were perceived by students as valuable resources only when they generated eco- nomic advantages through tourism. After the educational interventions the students acquired concepts that were more aligned with environmental conservation per se; among the main results approximately 25% more students said they would agree to participate in educational projects to promote the conservation of reef environments after the interventions. However, due to the lack of interest in the project by several of what should have been key actors in the process, this study also showed that support from indirect actors (teachers, parents, school personnel) is just as important as the participation of the targeted group itself.

Keywords : citizenship; environmental perception; environmental education; coral reefs.

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