The panel, held on May 8 at the Engin Aksel Conference Hall of PAU Faculty of Education, addressed ecological literacy, sustainable living, environmental psychology, consumption habits from past to present, and the importance of out-of-school learning environments in environmental education. The event was moderated by Prof. Dr. Velittin Kalınkara.

During the program, Dr. Merve Eker Çelebi shared interdisciplinary learning examples related to sustainability, eco-friendly living habits, and in-class applications. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Halil Yurdakal emphasized the importance of learning from past life practices for a sustainable future. Prof. Dr. Şahin Kapıkıran evaluated the effects of human–nature interaction on individuals’ emotions, behaviors, and lifestyles within the context of environmental psychology. Prof. Dr. Fatma Kırmızı conducted an applied workshop on how ecological literacy can be supported through creative drama.

Within the panel, discussions were held with participants on environmental issues, reducing plastic consumption, the benefits of direct contact with nature for child development, out-of-school learning activities, and university–society cooperation. At the end of the program, participants were informed about the ECOL project, and project outputs and dissemination materials were shared.

The Ecological Education and Out-of-School Learning Activities (ECOL) Project aims to strengthen individuals’ environmental awareness through ecological education and out-of-school learning activities, support sustainable living skills, and bring together different age groups around environmental responsibility. The project demonstrated that environmental education is not limited to children and young people, but that individuals of all ages can play an important role in building a more sustainable future, creating a meaningful meeting based on lifelong learning.