ART EDUCATION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROJECTS FOR STUDENTS IN VIETNAM

In the context of increasing environmental challenges and the demand for sustainable development, education plays a vital role in shaping students' awareness, attitudes, and behaviors toward environmental protection.Among various educational approaches, art education offers unique potential to integrate creativity, cultural values, and environmental responsibility.This study examined the role of art education through environmental protection projects in enhancing environmental awareness, creativity, and sustainability-related competencies among students in Vietnam.A mixed-method research design was employed, involving a survey of 245 students and semi-structured interviews with 15 teachers from a secondary school specializing in arts education and a university offering fine arts and cultural studies programs in Hanoi.Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis.The results indicated that art-based environmental projects significantly improved students' environmental awareness, creative engagement, learning motivation, and collaborative skills.Teachers also reported positive changes in classroom dynamics, interdisciplinary learning, and the integration of cultural values into artistic practices.Despite challenges related to time constraints and resource availability, the findings suggest that art education through environmental protection projects represents an effective interdisciplinary approach for promoting sustainable development education in the Vietnamese context.Practical implications are proposed for curriculum design, teacher professional development, and educational policy.