Suncheon City to Launch "Climate Change and Suncheon Bay" Curriculum for High School Students

Special Educational Development Zone Project...
Presenting an Ecological Education Model

Climate Change and Suncheon Bay Curriculum. Provided by Suncheon City

Suncheon City, South Jeolla Province (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu), announced on May 21 that it will launch a regionally specialized joint curriculum titled "Climate Change and Suncheon Bay" starting in July as part of the Ministry of Education's Special Educational Development Zone project.

This curriculum is an ecology-centered program that integrates education on climate change response and sustainability, based on Suncheon's ecological and historical assets. It aims to serve as an ecological education model where humans and nature coexist.

Suncheon Jeil High School will serve as the hub, and the program will be offered to students from general high schools in the area. The curriculum will be conducted through a variety of methods, including theoretical lectures, field experiences, team projects, and presentations, with Suncheon National University, Suncheon Bay Ecological and Cultural Education Center, and the Suncheon Bay area serving as venues.

This year's joint curriculum is co-organized by the Department of Environmental Education at Suncheon National University and the Jeonnam Eastern Region Community Research Institute. The main educational topics include: ▲ Climate crisis and desirable environmental perspectives ▲ Climate change and Suncheon Bay wetlands ▲ Suncheon Bay and its water systems.

In addition, to expand the curriculum, the city successfully completed the first round of teacher training and qualification programs for local science teachers, university students majoring in environmental studies, and holders of environment-related certifications. Those who complete the training will be qualified to serve as instructors for the "Climate Change and Suncheon Bay" joint curriculum in the future. The city plans to pilot the joint curriculum for general high schools this year and expand it to elementary and middle schools starting in 2026.

A city official stated, "This curriculum is the only regionally specialized education model in the country based on ecology, and it will serve as a key pillar driving the success of the Suncheon Special Educational Development Zone."