An interdisciplinary educational program on population growth using drama as a tool

Abstract

After the Industrial Revolution in eighteenth century, the gap between human and nature became more visible than the past. Unfortunately, technological and economical developments do not seem as right tools in solving social and environmental problems the world is facing such as racism, poverty, AIDS, climate change, endangered species, wars, atomic and nuclear bombs, loosing cultural diversity, globalisation. In that sense, environmental education has moved to the countries' agenda as a solution in order to have a more livable environment. Whether population growth is one of the results or reasons of the problems that the earth is facing now, it is obvious that it has a direct relation with social, political and environmental issues. Environmental education programs, which are learner oriented and based on interdisciplinary approaches, guide for effective teaching and learning environments for the future of the earth, since they emphasize the importance of awareness, knowledge, skills, attitudes, participation and promote a multi perpective look. The aim of this study is to develop an interdisciplinary environmental education program for 12-14 years old students using process drama technique in order to create an awareness about the factors of population dynamics as well as social, economical and ecological effects of population growth.