Differentiated education for eco-engagement: Supporting teachers and challenging gifted students through community service projects

Abstract

This chapter reinforces the importance of differentiating the curriculum and pedagogy to meet the individual needs of gifted students. The 'Education for Eco-engagement Program' (EfEP) is described, which supports teachers and challenges students to provide service to the community through education for sustainability. The EfEP can be used to differentiate teaching and learning through investigative project-based learning within authentic educational community contexts. An evaluation of the professional learning component of the program is reported. Participants felt affirmed for their current practices and challenged to use other strategies. They felt inspired and motivated to implement more project-based learning and viewed the workshops as supportive. Some implications for practice and research are provided.