The UST Department of Psychology held a hyflex writeshop titled, 鈥淐rafting the Future of Environmental Psychology: A Course plan writeshop on Green Education,鈥� on November 22, 2024, at the Science Online Learning Environment (SOLE) Room. The event brought together Thomasian Psychology educators and experts from various institutions to collaborate on creating a comprehensive and engaging course plan for Environmental Psychology.
The plan emphasized evidence-based practices, as well as interdisciplinary and outcomes-based learning, to foster sustainable practices and encourage students to engage in pro-environmental activities.
Renowned experts in the field of environmental psychology such as the Chair of Environmental Psychology Special Interest Group of the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) Assoc. Prof. John Jamir Benzon Aruta, Ph.D.; Mr. Quinn Hundgen from Claremont Graduate University; Head of Academic Services in Maynilad Water Services, Inc. Mr. Oliver Sta. Ana, Ph.D.; and Dr. Leisha Redmond Mcgrath shared their insights on the subject in preparation for the course development. Among the topics discussed was the intersectionality of environmental psychology and education, climate change perspectives among different generational cohorts and vulnerable communities, the multidisciplinary nature of environmental psychology, and leadership in climate change.
The writeshop proper was facilitated by Asst. Prof. Jeau Raizza S. Go, M.A. and Mr. Alvin Joseph Mapoy, M.Sc. of the Department of Psychology.
Through this writeshop, Thomasian psychology educators are now ready to offer environmental psychology courses as a technical course for Psychology majors, as well as a general education elective course for students of other programs in the 九色. This cements the Department of Psychology鈥檚 commitment to enhance teaching, extension and research in the field of environmental psychology as its contribution to the University鈥檚 efforts to deal with climate change issues.
