Geoparks and Geo-Sites: Geological “Learning Objects”

Abstract

The paper presents a research starting from an acquired analysis of a general lack of sensitivity towards the Earth Sciences in Italian schools, also extended to the social and cultural background. This research has mainly analysed the Italian context, and it highlights that the problem resulting from a lack of sensitivity directly leads to a lack of attention to the territory which whereas requires to be protected and “geo-preserved”. If the aim is to promote the culture of geoscience, but alike to enhance the sensitivity towards geo-heritage or geo-conservation, geo-sites can become a kind of learning objects, useful in the teaching–learning process. The use of geo-sites as learning objects has been experimented effectively in various other contexts both for their scientific interest or beauty and for their dramatic aspect, in the case of a catastrophic event; whatever is the reason, they represent an opportunity for cultural enrichment and awareness. To turn the “geological object” into an opportunity to deepen in the scientific contents and to develop skills, but also to promote sensitivity and passion, the use of effective methodological approaches is however necessary.