ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING FOR YOUNG LEARNERS: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ECOPEDAGOGY IN SOCIAL STUDIES LEARNING IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

Abstract

 Environmental issues remain a significant challenge for Indonesian society today. Schools, as educational institutions, should have the capability to transform students' behavior to foster environmental awareness. This paper aims to analyze the implementation of ecopedagogy in schools, particularly within the Social Studies subject at Palang 2 junior high school. The research seeks to understand how ecopedagogy is applied in 7th-grade Social Studies at Palang 2 junior high school. The study uses a qualitative method with the subjects being Social Studies teachers and students. The results, obtained through interviews and observations with relevant parties, show that ecopedagogy is integrated into several teaching materials. The core material associated with ecopedagogy includes Environmental Economic Potential, with sub-materials: 1) Potential natural resources, 2) Factors causing changes in natural resources, and 3) Disaster mitigation. For the natural resource potential material, ecopedagogy involves projects like planting, maintaining, and utilizing medicinal plants. For the factors causing changes in natural resources, the teaching approach includes guiding students to analyze changes in local natural resources. In disaster mitigation, students engage in discussions and simulations on steps to take during natural disasters. The goal of these ecopedagogy lessons is to enhance students' ecological intelligence and foster a commitment to environmental preservation.