TEACHERS AS CHANGEMAKERS: ANALYZING OER FOR GRADES 5 TO 7 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Abstract

This study examines the availability of Open Educational Resources (OER) for environmental education in Grades 5 to 7 in British Columbia (BC). As environmental challenges escalate, providing young learners with the knowledge to understand and promote involvement with global issues such as climate change is essential. OER provide accessible, adaptable, and high-quality materials that align with BC's curriculum and support UNESCO's Sustainable Development Goals. Despite their potential, the extent to which existing OER meet the needs of BC educators is not well understood. This research addresses that gap through a qualitative document analysis of OER repositories. The outcomes of this analysis comprise a curated list of existing OER that teachers can integrate into their curriculum and identification of gaps in OER for environmental education. Findings will be shared with educators, policymakers, and environmental organizations to encourage OER use and to contribute to broader discussions on OER adoption in K-12.