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Environmental Education in Belize

This project aims to address the lack of environmental awareness and education in Belize by creating a sustainable curriculum for schools. By educating children about their natural environment and encouraging exploration of new environmental topics, the goal is to instill a deep appreciation for biodiversity and environmental importance. The pilot curriculum includes interactive lessons covering ecosystems, biodiversity, endangered species, the water cycle, pollution, global warming, life cycles, symbiosis, and more. Hands-on experiences and field trips, such as visiting the Belize Botanic Garden, are integral to the program. The success of this initiative lays the foundation for future environmental education efforts in Belize. With a focus on effective teaching methods and engaging content, this project contributes to the Millennium Development Goals for ensuring environmental sustainability. Future recommendations include expanding lessons, planning for different age groups, and exploring topics like permaculture and agroforestry. This program binder serves as a guide for future educational endeavors, helping to create a lasting impact on environmental education in Belize.

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Environmental Education in Belize

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  1. Environmental Education in Belize Melody Bessett, Kate Riley, Kaetlyn Kerr

  2. The Issue: • Lack of appreciation for biodiversity. • Lack of education about environmental importance in Belize.

  3. The Goal: • Educate children about their natural environment. • Encourage exploration of new environmental topics. • Create a program that will be continued.

  4. Contributing to the MDG’s • MDG’s- Ensuring environmental sustainability. • Our Project- “Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programs; reverse loss of environmental resources” • http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/#

  5. Background Research • Catherine McLinn’s study- no environmental curriculums in all of Cayo. • Belize Botanical Garden and Valley of peace. • Plenty Belize- organic gardens in Toledo. • Sustainable Schools Project- educating teachers.

  6. Addressing the Problem: • Develop a curriculum for all schools in Belize • Help bring environmental projects to schools • Expose children to their natural environment through hands-on experience and field trips

  7. Project Partners: • St. Barnabas Primary School: Create a three week curriculum for standard I/II • Belize Botanic Garden: Gain information and organize a field trip • BENPRO: Will receive curriculum binder to continue out reach programs

  8. Project Description: The Pilot Curriculum: • Three in-classroom lessons, each 90 minutes • The program concluded with a field trip to Belize Botanic Gardens

  9. Lesson Content • Each lesson explored three environmental topics: Lesson 1- Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Endangered Animals Lesson 2- The Water Cycle, Pollution and Global Warming Lesson 3- Life Cycles, Plants and Symbiosis

  10. Lesson 1- Ecosystems • Ecosystems • food chain and food webs • relationships between plants and animals • ecosystems in Belize • Biodiversity • Two posters • Endangered Species • How and Why animals become endangered • Game- illustrated 4 necessities in ecosystems

  11. Lesson 2 • Water Cycle • Poster • Water and Air Pollution • Poster • Climates and Global Warming • Differences between weather and climate. • Thermometer Worksheet.

  12. Lesson 3 • Life Cycles • Frog and Butterfly worksheet. • Plants and Animals • Differences • Symbiosis • Importance of Plants- poster. • Xate Planting

  13. Botanical Garden Field Trip • Tour of native plants of Belize • Made Ricado • Scavenger hunt • Exposure

  14. Effective Teaching Methods: • Interactive Visual Aids • Verbal Instruction • Worksheets • Hands-on projects • Group Work and discussions • Outdoor Games

  15. Success! A foundation for future environmental education in Belize includes: • A preliminary curriculum that can be expanded upon • A Written report • An opportunity for future environmental UVM projects

  16. Results-What They Learned • Students were enthusiastic for each lesson • Students were introduced to new ideas • Retained knowledge from one week to the next • Appreciated and enjoyed lessons and field trip

  17. Results- What We Learned • Patience. • Creating partner relationships • Skills for planning lessons • Organization and Budgeting skills

  18. Future Recommendations • Create lesson plans for older groups. • Expand on previous topics • Pursue topics in more detail • Field trip- serves as a reward • Santa Familia Environmental Education Center • Belize Botanical Garden • Guanacaste National Park • More lessons over a longer period of time • Different schools

  19. Possible Future Lessons • Permaculture • Organic food production • Agroforestry • Climatology • Climates • Hadley cells • Ecology • Trophic Levels • Carbon Cycle

  20. Program Binder Guide for future UVM groups and partners. -Background information. -Future suggestions. UVM Service Learning Class St. Barnabas Belize Botanic Garden BENPRO- Santa Familia Environmental Education Center

  21. Binders Include: • Introduction- Mission Statement • List of partners, schools, and contacts • Our 4 lesson plans • Worksheets • Poster layouts • Game descriptions • Topics for future lesson plans • Places for future field trips • Websites and references for help • CD with photos and power point presentations

  22. Thank You! To all of our partners; St. Barnabas Belize Botanic Garden Professor Gary Flomenhoft Fellow Students And… Lesson 1

  23. Standard I and II!

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