Ecogeodidactic resource - A circular path for natural stone wastes: Didactic interest, economic potential and safety assessment proposal

ABSTRACT: This research project integrates Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Quality Education (SDG4) and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG12), and involves Education Sciences, Geosciences, and (Eco)Design. The project aims to create an ecogeodidactic resource that includes both physical and theoretical components, pedagogical strategies, and teacher training, while incorporating inputs from children and the educational community. The methodologies of action-research and cocreation have been adopted, focusing specifically on Environmental Education for Sustainability within the Geosciences (mineral resources and geological heritage). The project seeks to revalue stone waste from slab processing, by developing a high-value by-product. During the pilot phase, stone pieces (“geoelements”) were selected for interaction with preschool children, and a prototype was created to be installed in a kindergarten to monitor its impact. This resulted in a validation framework, that allowed for the discussion of the geodidactic interest, and the economic potential of this Project, as well as the definition of the initial guidelines for assessing their safety.