The EU's growth strategy (Europe 2020) and the European vision for green, circular and low-carbon economy in line with the EU 2050 (EU-roadmap 2050) give particular attention to citizens' participation and engagement and therefore to Environmental Citizenship. Environmental Citizenship has been an influential concept in many different arenas such as economy, policy, philosophy, corporation management and marketing, which could also be better exploited and established in the field of education. Environmental Citizenship is recognized as an important aspect in addressing global environmental problems such as climate change (Stern 2011; Ockwell et al. 2009) whilst providing support to pro-environmental organisations and individuals, contributing also to public pressure for political action (signing petitions, writing to politicians and newspapers). Many varied definitions of Environmental Citizenship can be found within the literature. Some of them are quite similar, and important overlaps can be observed; however, others can be quite different with contradictions in their philosophy and approach. According to Dobson (2010), Environmental Citizenship refers to pro-environmental behaviour, in public and in private, driven by a belief in fairness of the distribution of environmental goods, in participation and in the co-creation of sustainability policy. It is about the active participation of citizens in moving towards sustainability.

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A citizen’s capacity to act in society as an agent of change is an important element of Environmental Citizenship. This chapter discusses the concept of activism and the importance of activism initiatives in the development of citizens’ willingness and competences for critical, active and democratic engagement in preventing and solving environmental problems. Several possible ways for young people to get involved in environmental activism are presented. Also discussed is the possible and desirable combination of youth activism with citizen science, as a catalyst for empowering future citizens with the willingness and the higher-level abilities for participating in the global effort for a sustainable development and assuming the responsibility for future generations. Youth activism represents a key element in Education for Environmental Citizenship, allowing students to exercise their environmental rights and duties and to develop the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that empower them as problem-solvers capable of facing the contemporary environmental problems.

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Resumo: Vários autores acreditam que a discussão de questões controversas na sala de aula se revela extremamente útil quer na aprendizagem dos conteúdos, dos processos e da natureza da ciência e da tecnologia, quer no desenvolvimento cognitivo, social, político, moral e ético dos alunos (CACHAPUZ, PRAIA, PAIXÃO e MARTINS, 2000;MILLAR, 1997;NELKIN, 1992; REIS e PEREIRA, 1998; ZEIDLER e LEWIS, 2003). Estas opiniões têm sido apoiadas por diversas investigações (DORI, TAL e TSAUSHU, 2003;REIS, 1997 REIS, , 1999 REIS, , 2001SADLER e ZEIDLER, 2004;SOLOMON, 1992;ZOHAR e NAMET, 2002). Apesar de todas as evidências empíricas das potencialidades educativas da discussão de questões controversas, estas actividades não fazem parte das experiências educativas da maioria das aulas de ciências, mesmo quando as questões controversas integram os conteúdos curriculares. Diversos factores inerentes à própria discussão, aos professores, aos alunos e a antipatias do sistema educativo desencorajam a utilização desta metodologia na sala de aula (LEVINSON e TURNER, 2001;MCGINNIS e SIMMONS, 1999;MITCHENER e ANDERSON, 1989;NEWTON, 1999; REIS, 2001 REIS, , 2004 REIS e GALVÃO, 2004, 2005SIMMONS e ZEIDLER, 2003;STRADLING, 1984). No entanto, conforme se discute neste artigo, as fortes convicções pessoais dos professores relativamente à importância da discussão de controvérsias em contexto de sala de aula, associadas à robustez do conhecimento de conteúdo disciplinar e do conhecimento didáctico sobre os alunos, as finalidades do ensino das ciências e as estratégias mais adequadas à concretização deste tipo de actividade, facilitam a ultrapassagem dos obstáculos referidos.

Responsible Research and Innovation has become a core concept in many of the Horizon 2020 programs. In this article the concept of RRI is discussed in context of secondary education, and the interpretation used within the project ‘Irresistible’ is introduced. In the article several ways in which RRI can be incorporated in science classrooms are discussed, connected to the teaching of contemporary research taking place in universities as well as recent innovations coming from industry. The presented modules are designed in groups in which teachers work together with researchers, science educators and science center experts. As one of the educational approaches used in the modules, students created exhibits in which both the scientific content as well as the RRI concepts related to the content are demonstrated for the general public. These exhibits have been very successful as a learning tool.

A promoção da compreensão da natureza da ciência constitui um dos eixos fundamentais dos currículos de ciências actuais, procurando que os alunos entendam a produção do conhecimento científico e tomem decisões sobre assuntos de base científica com impacto directo na sua vida. Contudo, a investigação demonstra que os professores não integram esta vertente no seu ensino, comprometendo as aprendizagens dos alunos sobre esta temática. Num outro sentido, a investigação atribui potencialidades à discussão de assuntos sociocientíficos controversos na escola na construção de uma imagem de ciência mais real. Com este estudo, pretende-se compreender como é que um conjunto de 29 professores-formandos, de um mestrado em Educação, avalia as potencialidades deste tipo de metodologia. Apesar das avaliações bastante positivas, constata-se a necessidade de continuar a apoiar estes professores na implementação destas actividades com os seus alunos de modo a desenvolverem o conhecimento necessário à sua implementação.