School gardens encourage debate on the environment and sustainability among students
The initiative highlights the protagonism of public school students and collective responsibility in the face of climate change
More than 110 public state schools are developing activities with school gardens in Pará. The cultivation is one of the strategies of the State government, through the State Department of Education of Pará (Seduc), to encourage debate, within the school routine, about the environment and sustainability in practice. Among the schools already included are units from the municipalities of Belém, Ananindeua, Benevides, Santa Bárbara, Conceição do Araguaia, and Monte Alegre.
The Ruth dos Santos Almeida State School in Belém is an example of the initiative. A trainer from the Regional Education Directorate (DRE) 9 of Seduc, mathematics teacher Antônio Sales is one of the biggest supporters of the garden, which is part of the Permanent Project by Affinity (PPA) in full-time schools. The idea is for students to work on curricular subjects in extracurricular activities.
“In the garden, we work on mathematics, chemistry, philosophy, biology, among other subjects that allow students to engage with theoretical topics in practice, combining various knowledge. We work on the formation of students, but above all, citizens, with various concepts, from healthy eating, family farming, environmental education, and other content that relates to what is discussed in the classroom,” he emphasizes. Currently, 15 vegetables are cultivated in the garden and are also used in the production of school meals.
Since the beginning of the year, student Artur Souza from the 1st year of Ruth Almeida school has been participating in the project. “I lived my childhood in the countryside and always liked plants, so being part of the initiative not only provides me with more knowledge but also brings a familiar feeling to me. It has been amazing and contributes to our formation as students and also as people. This is a project that we can replicate at home and also encourage others to do so. We, students, are the ones who will shape the society of tomorrow; we need to understand our responsibility in this,” he says.
SUSTAINABILITY - Among other sustainable initiatives at the school are: Medicinal Garden, Composting, Green Chemistry, Eco-Chemistry in Action, and the project 'Doing My Part'. These activities integrate the school curriculum with environmental practices, promoting interdisciplinarity and allowing students to take the lead in the search for sustainable solutions.
1st-year student Layla Moraes from Ruth Almeida school believes that initiatives like these can make a difference in society as a whole. “I have been participating in the garden project since the beginning of the year, and for me, it’s like a hobby that generates a lot of curiosity in understanding how to treat each plant according to its peculiarities. Studying the theme 'environmental education' is essential for us to change our attitudes today to impact a better future,” she concludes.
PIONEER - The State government implemented, in 2024, the curricular component of Environmental Education, Sustainability, and Climate, making the State a pioneer in guaranteeing a mandatory sustainability subject, encouraging student participation and engagement in discussions on fundamental agendas for Pará.
