Taoyuan High School, Taoyuan City—Microclimate Initiative: Light in Fallen Leaves

Using "leaf composting" as the starting point for climate change education, the program connects high school mathematics, Chinese, history, and performing arts courses. Students learn about the species and quantities of trees in their school life through "puzzle-solving," think about ways to deal with fallen leaves, and examine carbon cycles and carbon footprints. By observing the life of plants in the corner, they can see the relationship between climate and life cycles. The program introduces design thinking processes, develops students' ability to understand problems and take innovative actions, and uses "leaf composting" to generate creative products and parent-child DIY workshops. Finally, through practical participation in setting up stalls, students put economic applications and social initiatives into practice, realizing "change that starts with a fallen leaf."
Climate action is not just a global issue; it can also begin with local action. Taoyuan Senior High School, nestled between mountains (Hutou Mountain) and the Nankan River, started with its 8.4-hectare leaf composting site. This allowed students to understand the practical operation of natural cycles and climate mitigation strategies, integrating mathematics, history, Chinese literature, and performing arts courses through interdisciplinary aesthetics, and connecting this to the vision of a net-zero future. Through "puzzle-solving," students learned about the species and quantity of trees on campus, considered ways to handle fallen leaves, and examined carbon cycles and carbon footprints. By observing the lives of plants in a corner, they saw the relationship between climate and life cycles, introducing design thinking processes and developing students' ability to move from understanding problems to implementing innovative actions. They also used leaf composting to generate creative products and participate in parent-child DIY workshops, ultimately putting economic applications and social advocacy into practice through hands-on stall activities.
The course aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 4 (Quality Education), 11 (Sustainable Cities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action), and incorporates DEI's core values, enabling each student to express themselves, participate in public affairs, and co-create sustainability through hands-on practice and presentations.
First, waste is transformed into resources to create inclusive and sustainable cities (SDG4+11+12). Through leaf composting, students learn to recycle natural waste, reducing the harm of incineration and landfill to urban air and land, and practicing responsible consumption and circular production. Throughout the process, students from diverse backgrounds and abilities are encouraged to participate, allowing everyone to find their place in the division of labor, decision-making, and creation, achieving participatory learning and public practice.
The course then puts climate action into practice, starting with soil conservation for the future (SDG4+13). Leaf composting not only reduces carbon emissions but also improves soil resilience, helping cities cope with climate change. Through hands-on experiences and presentations, the course cultivates students' understanding of the connection between environmental systems and climate action. By expressing themselves and collaborating, students showcase the results of their actions, allowing each student to exert an impact in the co-creation process and promote environmental justice and sustainable transformation.
The curriculum also incorporates climate change education (CCE).
By reducing greenhouse gas emissions (such as carbon dioxide and methane) through leaf composting, promoting carbon sequestration, and reducing fertilizer use, we can mitigate and adapt to climate change. Simultaneously, we can improve soil health and plant resilience, enhancing resistance to climate shocks and strengthening the practice and understanding of climate action. Furthermore, through concrete and feasible composting actions, we guide learners to understand climate change through daily practice, comprehend the systemic connections behind resource cycles, cultivate sustainability awareness and systems thinking skills, and enhance their action and environmental responsibility.
Finally, integrating Sustainable Development Education (ESD), the program promotes resource recycling, reduces carbon emissions and fertilizer use, and improves soil health and biodiversity through leaf composting. This helps students understand the relationship between natural systems and human activities, embodying the environmental aspect of sustainable development and putting environmental sustainability into practice. Students also create their own compost using locally sourced leaf resources, reducing costs and improving resource efficiency. This is further combined with creative design to transform product value, guiding students to recognize the possibilities of sustainable consumption and innovation, achieving both economic benefits and innovation. Through hands-on experience, students develop environmental responsibility and life skills, and through collaboration between the school and the community, they deepen public participation, practicing the spirit of inclusive and action-oriented Sustainable Development Education (ESD) through social participation and empowerment.