The critical arts-science-advocacy framework: a model for K-12 teacher education and geography education in the Anthropocene

This curriculum-focused paper details the Critical Arts-Science-Advocacy Framework (CASAF), a three-part, multidisciplinary learning sequence for K-12 teacher education and geography education in the Anthropocene. Rooted in the author’s professional praxis from the 2023–2025 school years at a public university, CASAF emphasizes the need to move beyond the “green status quo” and “green business as usual” to take meaningful action for environmental teaching and learning. As environmental issues are not just a single-subject “science issue,” taking meaningful action for Earth justice requires a multidisciplinary approach that cultivates environmental science agency and uses arts-based educational research methods and pedagogy. In CASAF, students are guided through the following phases of the learning sequence: 1) Experiential learning and mapping emotional geographies; 2) Engaging in community science to explore campus biodiversity; 3) Zines for environmental storytelling and public pedagogy. This actionable framework will help prepare future environmental change agents and Earth justice practitioners.