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Miss Bernardes, Dr Rabello and Dr Okada to Present Groundbreaking Study at Oxford Education Research Symposium

Miss Márcia Bernardes, representing the Secretary of Education of São Paulo, is set to present a pioneering study at the Oxford Education Research Symposium, organized by Oxford Symposia. Her presentation, titled “CARE-KNOW-DO: Primary Pupils Connected with Sustainability Education and Multiliteracies,” will highlight how primary education in São Paulo is fostering sustainability awareness and promoting multiliteracies among students aged 5-12.

The study, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Cintia Rabello and Dr. Alexandra Okada (Scientific Coordinator of CONNECT), aligns with the conference’s mission to expand the understanding of education and its impact on global issues. The Oxford Education Research Symposium serves as a platform for scholars to explore and discuss innovative theories and practices in universal education. This event is recognized for presenting research that broadens the scope of knowledge in various educational fields.

Their research examines how open schooling, framed within the CARE-KNOW-DO model, engages young learners with urban forest fauna and sustainability themes through multiple literacies. The pupils participated in interactive activities such as drawing, mapping, writing, and collaborative discussions. After these hands-on tasks, they reflected on their learning experiences using digital questionnaires.

A key finding of the study is the diversity in literacy practices that the students engaged with. Open schooling encouraged the development of language, numeracy, information, digital, and scientific literacies. These skills were practiced not only in traditional classroom settings but also within the community, involving families and external experts. Although 46% of the students expressed challenges in justifying their ideas with evidence, a significant 88% showed enthusiasm to participate in similar future projects. Additionally, the research underscored the relevance of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) in problem-solving, with 100% of students recognizing its importance.

The study emphasizes the growing connection between sustainability education and multiliteracies, as well as the benefits of integrating open schooling to enhance student engagement with real-world issues. Miss Bernardes’ presentation at the Oxford Symposium offers a crucial contribution to the global conversation about how education can better equip students for future challenges while fostering a deeper connection to sustainability.

This research is part of a broader initiative supported by the EU-funded CONNECT project, which aims to strengthen the role of open schooling in promoting environmental awareness and sustainability across educational systems.