Engaging pre-service teachers in an indigenous activity to investigate sustainability and green practices in palm oil production

Indigenous science is fast becoming a pathway to teach the principles of sustainability and green science or green chemistry towards sustainable development, management and conservation of the world’s ecosystems for posterity. This study sought to explore students’ own ideas about sustainability and ‘green’ practices through the indigenous multi-stage production of palm oil. A case study that employed a mixed method approach engaged 86 purposively chosen pre-service teachers. Questionnaires that partly allowed for participants to share their own ideas about palm oil production with respect to sustainability and green practices were used to collect data. Findings from analysed data indicated a positive shift in attitude, knowledge and views towards sustainability and green science practices in their communities as against their entry point.

Keywords: green science; indigenous knowledge; indigenous science; pre-service teachers; sustainability