Leaving a Legacy is a vital final element of the Action-Oriented Pedagogies (AOP) cycle. It emphasizes the idea that sustainability learning and action do not end with a single group of students or the closing of a project. Instead, students reflect on their efforts and actively prepare to pass their work forward—sharing knowledge, documenting processes, and supporting those who will continue the effort.

This page introduces what it means to leave a legacy in AOP, why it matters, and how educators can support this crucial phase of student-led sustainability action.

Leaving a legacy is more than just wrapping up a project. It involves transferring insights, experiences, and momentum from one group of students to another. In AOP, this practice:

• Positions outgoing students as experts, honoring their experience and contributions

• Builds trust and relevance for incoming students, who inherit something meaningful to continue or evolve

• Emphasizes continuity and systems thinking, reinforcing that sustainability work is long-term and shared

• Supports knowledge-sharing across classrooms, grades, or school years, turning isolated projects into school-wide efforts

Authentic learning becomes most powerful when students do work that matters to others. When students understand that their ideas, tools, or solutions will support future learners and be carried forward by others, they develop a deeper sense of responsibility, pride, and connection to the broader learning community

Why Taking Leaving a Legacy Matters 

Legacy work fosters a powerful ethos of collective agency:

• Students see themselves not just as problem-solvers but as contributors to long-term change

• It shifts student perception from one-time impact to ongoing participation in systems

• Incoming students inherit a sense of purpose and possibility

In AOP, legacy leaves a mark—on the classroom, the school, the community, and the learners themselves.

Legacy work does not need to be large-scale or polished. Even small acts of documentation, reflection, and sharing can set up others to continue meaningful work.

Introduce the Idea of Legacy Early

• Plant the seed that students are part of something bigger

• Frame the project as one chapter in a longer story

• Invite students to consider: "Who will this work matter to after we finish?"

Build in Time for Reflection and Documentation

• Have students create process journals, videos, or how-to guides

• Encourage them to reflect on what they learned, what they would change, and what they want others to know

Create a Structure for Passing the Work Forward

• Facilitate student-to-student presentations, handoffs, or showcases

• Coordinate with colleagues across grade levels or the next academic year

Celebrate Legacy as Impact

• Recognize students for not just what they accomplished, but how they supported future work

• Make their contributions visible through school displays, websites, or showcases

We'd love to hear from you!

Want to share how students across your school are leaving a legacy? Reach out to us!