Project 1: Integrating DE/ESD into the teaching of Home Economics at St. Angela’s College with a particular focus on ethical and ecological consumerism

Coordinators: Amanda McCloat, Helen Maguire - St. Angela’s College of Education, Sligo (071-9143580)

Aim: To promote ethical consumerism among pre service Home Economics teachers through the use of a cross curricular educational intervention in order to develop the attitudes, knowledge and intended behaviour ensuring students experience a holistic perspective on consumerism.

Key Activities:

• Ascertain the attitude, knowledge, and behavioural patterns of pre service Home Economics teachers in relation to ethical consumerism.
• Analyse data gathered and, based on the findings, develop an educational intervention strategy (including trips, activities, investigations).
• Deliver Phase 1 educational intervention strategy to B.Ed 1 students – building knowledge, skills and values through the subjects Family Resource Management, Textile & Design, Food
• Deliver Phase 2 educational intervention strategy – Students participate in an ethnic cookery / fairtrdae cookery day. Students produce a textile household product with a sustainable focus. Produce a poster presentation that demonstrates the ethical consumer focus of the product.
• Deliver Phase 3 educational intervention strategy – Students host a display and promotion evening
• Ascertain the attitude, knowledge, and behavioural patterns of pre service Home Economics teachers post intervention (quantitative methods). Document the findings.

Outputs:

• - AISHE Abstract - ” Promoting ethical consumerism among pre service Home Economics teachers through the use of a cross curricular educational intervention in order to develop the attitudes, knowledge and intended behaviour ensuring students experience a holistic perspective on consumerism”.