THE PLANET AND YOU OUTREACH PROGRAMME INTERIM REPORT (SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER 2013)
A CONSERVATION EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAMME BY YOUTH FOR CONSERVATION (YFC)
From September to November 2013 one conservation education session per month was conducted in twenty-‐one schools in Tamil Nadu by K. Ramnath Chandrasekhar, Executive Director, Youth For Conservation. The Eleven participating schools are located near the proposed Srivilliputur Meghamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. 3500 students from classes 6th, 7th and 8th are enrolled in the programme, which will continue until March 2014. One enthusiastic teacher is co-‐opted in every school as ‘The Planet and You coordinator’. This outreach programme was the Tirst exposure that most of the students -‐-‐ and most of their teachers -‐-‐ had to nature and conservation, and the response has been overwhelming. YFC thanks Wildlife Conservation Society-‐India, and Wildlife Conservation Trust for their Tinancial support. We are also grateful to our creative and logistical partners.
Banner, certificate and backyard wildlife activity poster designed for the programme
The Tirst month programme ‘Universe to India’ took students on a journey around the universe, Solar system, various habitats and species on the Earth. Showcasing India’s rich and diverse natural heritage completed the journey. ‘Nagarahole: Tales from an Indian Jungle’, a documentary Tilm by Shekar Dattatri was screened followed by an interaction with students. A pre-‐ programme survey was conducted before the programme to analyze the level of nature and conservation awareness in students.
Students of Government High school, Ellaipatti village in Pudukkottai district intently watching the documentary ‘Nagarahole: Tales from Indian Jungle’ during the ‘Universe to India’ session conducted in their school on 11th September 2013
Students of Jothi High school at Reddiapatti village near the foothills of the Western Ghats keenly watching the documentary ‘Nagarahole: Tales from Indian Jungle’ during the ‘Universe to India’ session conducted in their school on 4th September 2013
Students of Mannar Memorial school in Tiruchirapalli interacting with Ramnath after watching ‘Nagarahole: Tales from Indian Jungle’ during the ‘Universe to India’ session conducted in their school on 17th September 2013
The second month programme ‘Into the lifeline of South India’ focused on the Western Ghats. ‘Save Our Sholas’ a documentary Tilm by Shekar Dattatri was screened. It was followed by an audio-‐visual on drought in Tamil Nadu to establish the connection between rivers and the Shola forests. Students were introduced to ‘The Planet and You wall’, an on going activity to cultivate the habit of reading about nature, wildlife and environment related articles in newspapers. They were given a topic to reTlect on, “If I were drought…” through paintings, drawings, essays, poems and drama. ‘Web of Life’ an interactive game was conducted with participating students to understand the intricate relationship between people and nature.
Seen in this picture is ‘The Planet and You Wall’ from various schools and the articles pasted by students. Nature, wildlife and environment related articles from newspapers are pasted in the wall by students. Teacher coordinators follow up and encourage the entire school to read the articles.
Students participating in the ‘Web of Life’ game. This game is a part of the second month session ‘Into the lifeline of South India’ conducted in October. Students from all the schools actively participated in the game and formed a intricate food web.
Students interacting with Ramnath during ‘Into the lifeline of South India’ session in the month of October. Students were able to understand the connection between rivers and Shola forests when ‘Save Our Sholas’ was followed by an audiovisual on drought.
The third month programme ‘Secrets of the Coasts and Introduction to Global Warming and Climate Change’ focused on coastal areas and the pressing issue of Global warming. ‘Point Calimere: A little Kingdom by the Coast’, a documentary Tilm by Shekar Dattatri was screened. It was followed by an audio-‐visual on Global warming and a story-‐telling session based on the ‘One degree factor’, an episode from the documentary ‘Strange Days on Planet Earth’. Students were given an activity called ‘Bridge the Gap’ to map the destruction of nature and natural resources around their locality across generations by interacting with their parents and grandparents.
Students from various schools participating in the November session, ‘Secrets of the Coasts and Introduction to Global Warming and Climate Change’
‘The Planet and You’ teacher coordinators from various schools interacting with Ramnath about follow ups and tips on sustaining the interest in students.
Hundreds of students brought back their work in the form of paintings, drawings, essays, poems and short stories that showed their increased understanding about nature and conservation. Skits were performed by students. The teacher coordinators have been following up with students at regular basis with inspiring quotes about nature on classroom boards and by encouraging students to bring nature related articles from newspapers and magazines to paste on ‘The Planet and You Wall’.
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YFC is an initiative of Trust for Environmental Education (TREE), Chennai, India
Funded by
Programme partners Fooniferse Wildlife Association of Rajapalayam (WAR for Nature) The Science and Adventure Club, Trichy Acad India Outreach team K. Ramnath Chandrasekhar Rameshwaran Mariappan