Mainstreaming of Environmental Education in the Physical Science Courses of Bicol University College of Education

Abstract

The main objective of the study is mainstreaming an environmental education (EE) program in the Bachelor in Secondary Education (BSED) curriculum of Bicol University College of Education and determining its effectiveness in developing awareness and understanding of environmental concepts and principles. The study utilized mixed methods of research, specifically the developmental-descriptive-evaluative method in the development of the curriculum guide for physical science courses. The curriculum guide showing the integration of environmental education concepts and principles consisted of ten lessons distributed across the different subjects. This was successfully implemented over a nine-week period. The EE-enhanced physical science lessons were effective in developing awareness and understanding of the environmental concepts and principles. Students further gained positive attitudes and behaviors, which prepared them for their job as future eco-mentors. It is recommended that the curriculum guide and the EE-enhanced physical science lessons be implemented in other teacher education institutions and in other institutions of higher learning offering a variety of undergraduate courses other than teacher education.