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Environmental Education in Belize

Environmental Education in Belize. Melody Bessett, Kate Riley, Kaetlyn Kerr. The Issue:. Lack of appreciation for biodiversity. Lack of education about environmental importance in Belize. The Goal:. Educate children about their natural environment.

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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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