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Objectives This study aims to explore how teachers perceive the operation of school environmental education projects and identify the meaningful learning experiences they encounter in the process of carrying out environmental education tasks. Methods To achieve the research objectives, in-depth interviews and open-ended surveys were conducted with 11 teachers from elementary, middle, high, and special schools who have participated in the Chungcheongbuk-do Office of Education's Green School policy project for over two years and have continuous experience with Green Schools. The collected data were analyzed through qualitative research methods, and the research results were derived through discussions. Results Teachers, in the process of carrying out environmental education tasks, strengthened school environmental education on an educational dimension tailored to the specific situation, surpassing visible outcomes and pursuing educationally substantial activities. The efforts made by teachers were found to have an impact on changing their perspectives on the existing environmental education tasks. Through the learning process facilitated by these tasks, teachers recognized the overall necessity of environmental education in schools and, consequently, secured environmental education leadership at the school level. Conclusions The operation of school environmental education projects should be a process where teachers actively engage in and prioritize the implementation of substantial activities with an educational focus for better environmental education. Through realizing activities that prioritize educational objectives, teachers can create meaning in the operation of projects at both individual and community levels. This approach allows teachers to secure voluntary motivation for active participation in their roles as practitioners of environmental education.
Kim et al. (Thu,) studied this question.