Effectiveness of Project- Based Learning to Enhance Awareness about Sustainable Practices

Environmental sustainability is a critical global concern, yet a significant gap persists between awareness and meaningful action, particularly among school students. This study investigates the effectiveness of Project-Based Learning (PBL) as a pedagogical approach to enhance awareness, attitudes, and behaviors related to sustainable practices among 7th-grade students in Mumbai suburban schools. Traditional teaching methods often emphasize theoretical knowledge without fostering a sense of personal responsibility or practical engagement. In contrast, PBL offers an experiential, student-centered model that promotes critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world application. The study engaged 50 students over a two-month period using a pre-test and post-test design. A structured questionnaire was administered offline to assess students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to sustainability. The intervention phase spanned four weeks and included interactive orientation sessions, student-led group projects, research activities, community engagement, and peer presentations. Topics were chosen by students and ranged from reducing plastic use to promoting tree plantation. The teacher facilitated the process by guiding inquiry without directly providing solutions.Findings indicated a marked improvement in students’ understanding of sustainability concepts, heightened environmental concern, and increased adoption of eco-friendly behaviors. Students demonstrated growth in critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills, while also initiating independent sustainability actions within their school community. The study revealed that integrating PBL into environmental education can significantly deepen learning and foster a sense of agency among students. Recommendations include institutional support for integrating PBL into curricula, teacher training, community involvement, and interdisciplinary project alignment. The findings affirm that PBL can effectively transform students from passive learners into active contributors to sustainability efforts.