Sustainability Cross Curriculum Priority – 250 Words

Education for sustainability develops the knowledge, skills, values and world views necessary
for people to act in ways that contribute to more sustainable patterns of living. It enables
individuals and communities to reflect on ways of interpreting and engaging with the world.
The Sustainability priority has been developed around the three key concepts of systems,
world views and futures. In this sequence of lessons the third concept is explored through
thinking and acting in ways that are necessary to create a more sustainable future. The
concept seeks to promote reflective thinking processes in young people and empower them
to design action that will lead to more a more equitable and sustainable future. This is done
through encouraging students to come up with new innovative attractions that include
renewable and eco-eco-friendly characteristics. The organising idea outlined in the
Australian Curriculum that is most focused on in this ESTE program is number 8 - Designing
action for sustainability requires an evaluation of past practices, the assessment of scientific
and technological developments, and balanced judgements based on projected future
economic, social and environmental impacts. This idea aligns perfectly with the sequence of
lessons. Students are to use current examples of theme parks as inspiration to develop a new
creative nature theme park that encompasses an overarching idea of sustainable living.
There are two Sustainable Development Goals that this lesson sequence relates to. These
are Goal 9 - Industries, Innovation and Infrastructure, and Goal 15 - Life On Land. Goal 9
relates due to the innovative nature of the task. Students are asked to create a sustainable
theme park for future generations. Goal 15 is linked through the idea of using only renewable
resources and materials to construct their theme parks.