Developing environmental sensibility in Schools: A guideline for protected areas management

Abstract

The paper describes the findings of a study sponsored by the Ministry of Education, carried out by “José Martí” Pedagogical University as part of a larger research project, in which the following objectives were established: to systematize a theoretical and methodological conception that supports the development, from the school, of the sensibility towards biodiversity and protected areas, and at the same time, to verify the relevance of developing this awareness in selected students from different levels. Different theoretical methods were used, like the analysis – synthesis, inductive – deductive, and system approach, in order to evaluate the obtained information through the documentary analysis and the experts’ opinions, as well as the experiences recorded by the authors in non – experimental research projects. Changes in the development of the sensibility regarding the protection of the environment and protected areas were evidenced on the students of secondary education and on of those in formation of Natural Sciences, expressed in the sensitive, affective, esthetics and ethics dimensions.