Experimental work is an important component of science subjects at all educational levels. The implication of green chemistry ideas indicated the need for optimization of traditional experimental work by implementing green chemistry principles to promote sustainable development. The aim of the study is to present findings from a systematic literature review on the use of experimental work in science education from green chemistry perspectives in the literature from 1995 to 2020. Thus, three electronic databases were reviewed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines. The literature search identified a total of 1199 papers from Web of Science (N = 419), Scopus (N = 578), and Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) (N = 202). After applying inclusion/exclusion criteria, 263 papers were obtained and then analyzed in further detail. The findings highlighted trends in the integration of green chemistry principles into experimental work from primary to tertiary education levels and identified a literature gap, as well as the challenges and the possibilities for future development. The review outlined various opportunities for active learning within experimental work from green chemistry perspectives using a range of methods, with a particular focus on practical, hands-on, and laboratory activities.

Artificial intelligence (AI) holds immense potential to drive sustainable development by enabling progress toward the realization of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the 2030 Agenda. This potential is emphasized by the concept of twin transitions, where the digital and green transformations reinforce each other. This study examines the integration of AI in 26 study courses at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, focusing on its sustainable impact. Using an exploratory case study and a comprehensive content analysis framework, the study identifies the enabling and inhibiting factors in the interplay of digital and green transitions in education. The results reveal that the integration of AI in higher education can facilitate progress toward achieving 11 SDGs and 28 targets by promoting innovation, equality, and digital literacy. At the same time, however, it also harbors risks that can hinder 7 SDGs and 11 targets, particularly in terms of data protection and equal access. By highlighting the synergies between digital and green transformations, this case study provides actionable insights for educators and policy makers who want to harness the transformative potential of AI while addressing its challenges and calls for future research in a broader educational landscape.

The aim of the research was to optimize the effectiveness of student learning based on experimental work in chemistry classes in Slovenian primary schools. To obtain evidence about how experimental work is implemented during regular chemistry classes, experimental work was videotaped during 19 units of chemistry lessons at 12 Slovenian primary schools from the pool of randomly selected schools. Altogether 332 eight-grade students were involved in the investigation, with an average age of 14.2 years. Students were videotaped during chemistry lessons, and their worksheets were collected afterward. The 12 chemistry teachers, who conducted lessons in these schools, were interviewed before the lessons; their teaching plans were also collected. The collected data was analyzed using qualitative methods. The results indicate that many teachers in Slovenian primary schools are not fully aware of the potential of experimental work integrated into chemistry lessons for the development of students’ experimental competence. Further research of the value of different kinds of training to support teachers for the use of experimental work in chemistry teaching is needed.

Teacher education for sustainable development (ESD) is faced with continuing unsustainability trends, which require deep and enduring social transformation. Transformative learning is a possible solution to facilitating reflection on the cognitive and socio-emotional processes underpinning students’ learning towards sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to investigate students’ perceptions of, and experiences with, technology-enhanced self-directed learning and design thinking as possible moderators of transformative learning in order to advance the concept and practice of teacher ESD. These perceptions and experiences are represented by 225 pedagogical and non-pedagogical students from the University of Ljubljana, asked to respond anonymously to three online questionnaires in May and June 2021. Findings indicate that strengthening the transformative aspect of ESD in pre-service teachers requires the consideration of critical reflection, self-awareness, risk propensity, holistic view and openness to diversity, and social support. Moreover, self-directed learning was found to be a moderator for transformative learning among pre-service science teachers, while design thinking was evenly developed among transformative learning for both low- and high-ability students, no matter the study programme. The conditioning factors and explanatory arguments for these results are also discussed.

Self-directed learning and design thinking were found to be promising pedagogies for supporting education and thus supporting sustainable development goals. While some researchers have posited that self-directed learning may support design thinking, empirical research examining the relationship between these two essential skills is lacking because their shared conceptual structure has not been articulated in detail, and because they have remained siloed in design practice. This study examines pre-service teachers’ self-regulation in relation to design thinking skills to advance a theoretical understanding of design science and to overcome challenges teachers face in adopting and implementing design thinking. For this study, 158 pre-service teachers were recruited. On the first level, the empirical data collected were subjected to structural equation modelling to find and confirm significant metacognitive perspectives in design thinking, while on the second level, an in-depth analysis was conducted to find moderating effects of pre-service teachers’ metacognitive experiences and teacher education in design thinking. We argue that awareness and interpersonal skills are crucial in creative design activity, and that embracing risk, tolerance to uncertainty, and underdeveloped supervising skills might be critical elements for advancing design thinking behaviour. The findings of this study have implications for effective science and technology teaching and the learning of design thinking in teacher education, and for educators and commercial course designers to adjust the implementation of design thinking.

Science and technology (S&T) plays a central role in today’s knowledge- and technology-based society. The transfer of S&T from the education system to the economy should be promoted by teachers using innovative behaviour as an important aspect of providing high-quality education. Several studies have found that a mismatch exists between the economy and the education sector, and that this can be gradually reduced by innovation in the education system. This research aimed to examine the innovative behaviour of pre-service S&T teachers. A sample of 140 pre-service teachers from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia was selected, and a set of instruments was used to measure their innovative behaviour in classrooms during the 2019–2020 academic year. A model was created and evaluated using multiple regression analysis. The results showed that self-efficacy and attitudes towards S&T strongly predict innovative behaviour, while situational interest may vary depending on the cognitive demands of tasks. A proactive personality was found to be a key factor determining innovative behaviour, while self-efficacy has direct and indirect influences on innovative behaviour, with its indirect influence mediated by creativity and situational interest. These findings have implications for the redefinition of educational design to enhance innovation in the classroom. Keywords: innovative behaviour, predictive modelling, pre-service teachers, science and technology