Enhancing Environmental Competence through a STEAM Climate Change Education Program in Lower Elementary Grades

What is it about?

This study shows how young children can start learning about climate change in a meaningful and age-appropriate way. We developed a four-week STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education program for second-grade students in South Korea. The program integrated climate change topics into regular classroom subjects using creative, hands-on activities such as storytelling, puppet shows, and environmental games. The results showed that students improved their understanding of environmental issues and began thinking critically about solutions. Some students even made small changes in their daily lives, like helping others recycle or saving energy at home. These findings demonstrate that even young learners—before formal science instruction begins—can meaningfully engage in climate change education when it is developmentally appropriate. This research supports the idea that early environmental education can lay the foundation for lifelong climate awareness and action.

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