The relationship between school excursions, Educational Tourism, and Environmental Education during commemorative dates in basic education

Abstract

This article proposes incorporating Environmental Education into basic education through activities linked to commemorative dates by leveraging educational tourism. The initiative seeks to make Environmental Education an interdisciplinary and continuous process, in keeping with Brazil’s National Environmental Education Policy, while fostering inclusion and respect for cultural diversity within schools. The study examines the relationship between themed activities and student engagement, observing that some traditional celebrations can lead to exclusion, superficiality, or disinterest. It therefore recommends replacing conventional practices with socio-environmental activities aligned with the school curriculum and developed in partnership with universities and academic institutions. Educational tourism emerges as an alternative that renders learning more dynamic and meaningful by taking students to knowledge-rich settings such as museums and laboratories. Findings indicate that school excursions focused on Environmental Education heighten students’ interest, nurture skills like critical thinking and communication, and help reduce so-called “Lost Pedagogical Time” (LPT). The study concludes that emphasizing socio-environmental commemorative dates can create a more inclusive and enriching school environment. By bringing students closer to scientific knowledge and sustainable practices, educational tourism strengthens citizenship and encourages continued studies