Abstract:

One of the main goals that education and training set for itself concerns the possibility of forming knowledgeable and responsible citizens. To accomplish this task, it is necessary to equip students with keys to the interpretation of reality based on a scientific culture that can enable the development of critical sense and initiate independent thinking.

The areas to which this research refers are ecology, biology and environmental education. One context that deserves specific attention in these disciplines is that relating to the mountains and thus to the so-called Highlands with their immediate surroundings, which as of today are caught between two extremes. On the one hand, an intense migratory flow directed toward the cities and a consequent demographic decline mainly due to the lack of job opportunities and services depopulates the small mountain areas, and on the other hand, mass hiking subjects these localities to considerable tourist and ecological pressure.

The present project emphasizes the enhancement of these realities through the educational intervention specifically aimed at the analysis of some native woodland species of Monte Grappa, which has been recognized as a Biosphere Nature Reserve since 2021 through the Man and the Biosphere UNESCO project.

Through the research we moved by investigating the possibility of developing a feeling of attachment to the territory that encourages participation in its political and social life. Through the following paper, therefore, an educational path undertaken in the fifth grade of the elementary school of Seren del Grappa, in the province of Belluno, is presented. The experience involved the use of the scientific observational-comparative method useful for observing, describing, classifying and recognizing the six forest species under analysis namely Juniperus communis (Juniper), Pinus mugo (Mugo Pine), Picea abies (Spruce), Abies alba (Silver Fir), Fagus sylvatica (Beech) and Juglans regia (Walnut).

For the verification of the effectiveness of the proposed project, two ex-ante tests had mainly administered one inherent to the object of study, thus the plants analyzed, and one aimed at investigating the feeling of “attachment” to one's territory. At the end of the course, the tests were then repeated to verify on the one hand the effectiveness of the intervention in terms of content and on the other hand the liking and possible evolution of the interest in one's own landscape.

The results show, in addition to the general enjoyment of the activities carried out, an increased interest in issues related to their local area. In this regard, some differences emerge between those who inhabit these places permanently and with family continuity and those with a migratory background.

Through this research it is hoped to return to the “Highlands” the attention and dignity they deserve while highlighting how projects and activities focused on the enhancement of the historical, biological and cultural territorial heritage can discourage attitudes of passivity towards their own reality, whatever it may be.

Keywords:

Biology, Education, Environment, Monte Grappa, Woodland heritage.