Environmental Perceptions about the link between Climate Change and the School Garden

Abstract

Perceptions related to the environment and climate change are of crucial importance in any educational community due to they are fundamental elements to foster a conscious, capable and committed citizenry of with environmental challenges. In the Ibero-American and Latin American context, various studies have approached this topic using methodologies such as social cartography and Participatory Action Research, evincing their potential to generate meaningful changes in pedagogical and community practices. This research was done with 24 ninth grade students from La Aurora IED. The study was focused on exploring their perceptions regarding the connection between School Gardens and Climate Change. Data were collected through an expert-validated survey instrument, ensuring robust results. The findings were organized and analysed around three main variables: environmental awareness, food sovereignty, and the human food cycle linked to Climate Change and School Gardens. These categories not only helped to organise students’ perceptions but also to identify key areas for implementing educational strategies that promote sustainability and climate change mitigation through school gardens.