Beyond recycling

an extension activity in search of a critical approach on environmental education

Abstract

The present work aims to report an extension experience oriented by the desire to develop environmental education from a critical perspective. The proposal was developed at the Municipal School Machado de Assis, Ituiutaba, State of Minas Gerais, involving 60 students from the 9th grade by resorting to debates, conversation circles, guided tours, videos and production workshops. The actions aroused students’ uneasiness, firstly because they developed dimensions or variables that were not widespread in environmental education (social, cultural, economic, technological, environmental and public health), which contributed to the understanding of recycling as an activity involving the exploration of the environment, mainly due to the energy expenditure of this activity and the disposal of waste materials. Finally, it also pointed out that the solution for environmental problems requires not only preserving the natural environment, but also caring for the human being, so subjugated in the process of capitalist exploitation. The challenges identified include the achievement of a partnership with teachers from different disciplines, and the need for permanent work that permeates the entire school curriculum throughout the school year, besides the initial and continued education of teachers so as to enable these themes to be included in the school curriculum