Environmental Education Program focused on the sustainable use of electrical energy at the Miguel de Unamuno Educational Unit, Esmeraldas

Abstract

Introduction: This research focuses on analyzing and describing the key variables and aspects related to the promotion of the sustainable use of electric energy, promoting awareness and adoption of responsible practices in the educational community of the Miguel de Unamuno Educational Unit, Esmeraldas. The main objective is to collect detailed information on the students' prior knowledge and their behavior regarding the use of electric energy, both before and after implementing the environmental education program. Materials and methods: Through observation of students and surveys of teachers and administrative staff, an accurate description of the current situation is obtained, which facilitates a better understanding of the internal dynamics and the development of effective strategies to optimize the management of the use of electric energy. Results: The analysis of the current state of the use of electric energy at the Miguel de Unamuno Educational Unit has revealed significant areas for improvement and opportunities to implement sustainable practices. The evaluation shows that, although a majority of students have a high participation and understanding of energy sustainability, only 40% use electrical equipment appropriately. Discussion: This underscores the need to reinforce daily practices and the correct use of energy resources within the school. The identification of these critical and environmentally impactful areas provides a solid basis for targeting interventions and optimizing energy use, minimizing environmental impact. Conclusions: The creation of the educational program has been an essential step in raising awareness among the educational community about the importance of energy sustainability. Although only 33.33% of teachers have fully integrated sustainability concepts into their lesson plans, those who have done so have observed a significant increase in student interest and participation.