Environmental Education Manuals were developed collaboratively by the Belize Ministry of Education, The Belize Zoo and Peace Corps Belize

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By Admin1 (admin) on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 9:14 pm: Edit Post

Environmental Education Manuals were developed collaboratively by the Belize Ministry of Education, The Belize Zoo and Peace Corps Belize



Environmental Education Manuals were developed collaboratively by the Belize Ministry of Education, The Belize Zoo and Peace Corps Belize

Environmental Education Manuals were developed collaboratively by the Belize Ministry of Education, The Belize Zoo and Peace Corps Belize

After 4 Environmental Education Manuals were developed collaboratively by the Belize Ministry of Education, The Belize Zoo and Peace Corps Belize 1990-1994, there remained the dire need for the teachers to effectively interpret and transfer the information contained in each of the four resource Environmental Education Books.

Recognizing this need, the Belize Zoo initiated regular teachers' summer workshops to assist teachers' in the interpretation of contents of the manuals and to demonstrate how they could be integrated into their existing curriculum.

The department has held very successful Teachers' Enrichment Worshops, for which there has been the participation of teachers country wide. What started as a "Teachers Workshop" in 1992 has now been modified and changed to "Teachers Study Tour" in 1998 where by teachers are taken out of the lecture room setting and into a more hands-on learning experience complimented with several field trips. These study tours were design to assist teachers in integrating conservation sciences into their classroom area. Group project discussions, field trips and slide presentations were all in the package for these programs with the objective that teachers return to the class room with more strategies and ideas for teaching. Each year our department recognizes the growing importance/impacts these study tour have from feed=-back and evaluations made after the event.





The Belize Zoo's Education Department was established in 1986 with a commitment to achieving the following goals:

* To heighten awareness and increase appreciation of the natural world.

* To promote the recognition and understanding of Belize's unique ecosystems and diverse wildlife.

* To instill sound knowledge, positive attitudes and valuable skills that will aid in the preservation of Belize's natural resources.

In order to achieve the above goals, the Education Department has conducted both extensive out-reach and on-site education programs. For example, our on site education programs allow teachers and students to use the Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center as both a teaching tool and outdoor classroom. It is estimated that 10,000 students and over 600 teachers visit the Belize Zoo annually and participate in our programs.

Following are brief descriptions of the education projects the Belize Zoo is currently involved in:

* Teacher's Workshop

* On-site Education Programs

* Annual Environmental Science Fair

* Toledo Outreach



* April The Tapir Birthday

* Rural School Scholarship Program

* Out-Reach Education Programs

TEACHER'S WORKSHOP

After 4 Environmental Education Manuals were developed collaboratively by the Belize Ministry of Education, The Belize Zoo and Peace Corps Belize 1990-1994, there remained the dire need for the teachers to effectively interpret and transfer the information contained in each of the four resource Environmental Education Books.

Recognizing this need, the Belize Zoo initiated regular teachers' summer workshops to assist teachers' in the interpretation of contents of the manuals and to demonstrate how they could be integrated into their existing curriculum.

The department has held very successful Teachers' Enrichment Worshops, for which there has been the participation of teachers country wide. What started as a "Teachers Workshop" in 1992 has now been modified and changed to "Teachers Study Tour" in 1998 where by teachers are taken out of the lecture room setting and into a more hands-on learning experience complimented with several field trips. These study tours were design to assist teachers in integrating conservation sciences into their classroom area. Group project discussions, field trips and slide presentations were all in the package for these programs with the objective that teachers return to the class room with more strategies and ideas for teaching. Each year our department recognizes the growing importance/impacts these study tour have from feed=-back and evaluations made after the event.

Top | Teacher's Workshop | On-Site | Science Fair | Aprils Birthday | Rural Scholarships | Out-Reach | Toledo Out-Reach

ON-SITE EDUCATION PROGRAMS

School Visits (Special Programs)

More than ten thousand Primary and High School students from all over Belize visit the Zoo yearly. Even though many classes do preparatory work prior to their visit, a large percentage still have not taken full advantage of our special programs: One main factor is that often teachers want to kill several birds with one stone- in other words, they plan several stops for the day's outing and so are unable to spend great lengths of time, gathering meaningful information on specific topics.

We offer 3 special programs, namely:

* Adaptation geared for the lower levels.

* Wild-life for the middle division.

* Conservation for the upper division.

Our latest Wetlands program has been developed for upper primary and high school students.

School Visits (Self-guided Tours)

As previously mentioned, many school groups, in trying to maximize their educational field trips, do a rush job with large numbers of students. When a group of thirty or more visit, with the assistance of their teacher or parents, they are allowed to move around the zoo leisurely, using the information booklet on the Zoo animals.

Regional School Visits

Presently our regional schools visits have been mostly from Quintana Roo Chetumal. These are exchange high school students, organized by our local secondary institutions.

Top | Teacher's Workshop | On-Site | Science Fair | Aprils Birthday | Rural Scholarships | Out-Reach | Toledo Out-Reach

ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FAIR

The main goals of the Zoo's Science Fairs are to:

* Motivate teachers to integrate environmental education and Zoo related lessons into their science curriculum.
* Demonstrate to students that active learning is more meaningful and at the same time can be fun.
* Promote an understanding of the importance of cooperative work and appreciating group efforts.
* Encourage confidence building in students' communication skills.

The Science Fairs were the inspiration of the Zoo Education Staff who saw the need to create excitement in the post visit exercises teachers were expected to do. Many work hard on class science projects, and the fairs provided the opportunity for schools to share their experiences. Many students and their teachers travel for the event. Each participating school provides a spokes-person who must demonstrate the ability to articulate clearly the school's overall presentation. Judging is done on relevance of slogan or theme reflecting their display in regards to environmental studies. Neatness, imagination and creativity of the display are also other criteria.

Unlike many other competitions, the Science Fair is unique in that it ensures that all schools are rewarded in some form for their effort and participation. Awarding of certificates of participation to students who worked on projects is a high-light of the day.

The winning school receives a top model computer for sue in the school. With the rapid growth in communication and technology schools are in need of this prestigious prize. The second place winning school gets to select a deserving student who shows potentials in the area of Environmental education and is awarded a 4 year High School Scholarship to the institution of their choice. The great support of our locals in contributing to finance these programs is most commendable and our organization is grateful to them.

Top | Teacher's Workshop | On-Site | Science Fair | Aprils Birthday | Rural Scholarships | Out-Reach | Toledo Out-Reach

APRIL THE TAPIR BIRTHDAY

No other animal is so celebrated as April- the tapir, more popularly known as our "Mountain Cow." Each year, sometime during the month of April, one day is set aside for the national animal's birthday. Visitors and school children witness a rare spectacle as April feasts on her birthday cake made of horse chow and carrots, garnished with brilliant hibiscus flowers, while the children sing the Happy Birthday Song. The first poster ever developed by Zoo staff depicted a tapir looking lovingly at her calf. This animal that now enjoys a healthy population in our country, once also existed in other parts of Central America, unfortunately not anymore. Is it any wonder then, why April is the Zoo celebrity. She has been the most singular factor in driving the message of "Conservation" home.

Top | Teacher's Workshop | On-Site | Science Fair | Aprils Birthday | Rural Scholarships | Out-Reach | Toledo Out-Reach

RURAL SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Rural School Scholarship is an education "out-reach" initiative of The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center to assist schools in remote Belize. Concern for this target group arose over the low percentage of Rural Schools coming to do Zoo programs at the Zoo. Investigating the situation, our Education Department found that though the school communities were interested, due to financial constraint they were unable to raise necessary funds needed to pay for the transportation cost to visit the Zoo.

This Rural School Scholarship Program will assist in allowing this impoverish sector of our school system. The need to have this group learn about conservation of wildlife is both pertinent and imperative. Studies have shown that 75% of forest degradation and misuse are mainly due to lack of knowledge regarding sustainable uses of our natural resources, should be privileged to this environmental education experience.

So, it is very important to sentisize this group why they should conserve and preserve wildlife at this formative age of their development.

Methodology

* Schools are selected through the District Education Officer who works for the Ministry of Education.
* Each school receives a formal information Zoo package.
* Each principal fills out an official form and return this to the Zoo.
* A special guided program is presented for this scholarship.
* The school is assisted with transportation cost to the Zoo.

The Rural School Scholarship Program extended education to 1885 students, 32 teachers and 267 parents over the past two years. This is a great percentage of our rural population, who might not have had the opportunity otherwise.

Top | Teacher's Workshop | On-Site | Science Fair | Aprils Birthday | Rural Scholarships | Out-Reach | Toledo Out-Reach

OUT-REACH EDUCATION

The Belize Yellow head Parrot Project

Belizean (Amazona oratrix) inhabits the pine savannas and adjacent evergreen forest patches of Belize. Howell and Monroe in the article on Yellow-head Parrots in Central America commented on their status, stating they have suffered extensive habitat loss combined with thorough nest robbing for the pet trade- and the remnant population are highly vulnerable.

To alert our Belizean public about this situation, the Belize Zoo has undertaken an aggressive Yellow-head Conservation Project. With the support from the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), the Education Department is carrying out a community awareness project of these birds including La Democracia School which is situated not far from the Zoo vicinity and is part of the project.

More than 50% surveyed knew someone in their village who had a Yellow-head as a pet. Interestingly our result showed that a large number of parrots are still being captured and sold.

Armed with this kind of first hand information, the department worked with the school principal, the staff and the students in developing a better understanding on the importance of protecting this belizensis species in the area. The second phase of the project targeted the adult community in order to mobilize their participation.

In heightening the awareness of vulnerability of these birds and the important role they play in the natural cycle of our world, people will soon come to respect and protect the species.

Manatee Out-Reach

The discovery of one of the killing fields with huge mounds of manatee bones, by one of our educators while on a return field trip, has added new impetus to our Manatee Out-reach. So this program continues with great urgency.

With the collaborative effort of the Ministry of Education, Peace Corps Belize, Belize Center for Environmental Studies and Coastal Zone Management our Out-Reach program now enters its second phase. With the support of local NGO's and communities in the area, the protection of Trichechus manatus will be pursued vigorously, as we now take our conservation message to the adult communities as well as student groups. Since only 22% of the Toledo Villages were visited during the first phase, there remains a great deal of work to be done on the Manatee Conservation Project.

In expanding on the conservation and awareness program of the endangered manatees in the Toledo District, the Manatee Out-Reach Educators designed the first ever Environmental Science Fair in Toledo under the theme "Protecting the Jewels of Toledo". With the participation of 13 schools showcasing various displays of modern environmental problems Belize faces and special attractions such as an Environmental Kite Contest and all day raffle, one can safely say the event was a huge success.

Top | Teacher's Workshop | On-Site | Science Fair | Aprils Birthday | Rural Scholarships | Out-Reach | Toledo Out-Reach

TOLEDO OUTREACH

May 12th,1999 marked the commencement of the Belize Zoo's first ever Environmental Science Fair in the Toledo District as part of their outreach efforts in collaboration with Foundation for Wildlife Conservation. It started off with a bang as 14 schools arrived to busily set up their displays and kites. The day's atmosphere proved intense, full of excited energy coupled with hopes of winning. Mrs. Myrtle Flowers, Education Director, has commented that for a first time Environmental Science Fair in Toledo, the displays were very well done, they showed a wide range of research and creativity from teachers and students.

Not only does the participants of so many schools add to the Fair's success, but the fact that this program is supported by the local community proves that it is an amportant event anticipated by people all over the District. It was supported by local business and environmental groups that provided schools with transportation to the fair and an assortment of valuable school supplies that were awarded as prizes to encourage and reward the schools hard work.

St. Peter Claver School from Punta Gorda deservedly won the first place prizes a set of encyclopedias and various school supplies. Their theme was "Conservation" that included forest and water conservation, grazing lands, erosion, and pollution that were displayed as live models. Punta Gorda Methodist came in second with a variety of recycling ideas including a working sports car made from scratch parts. In third place was San Jose who brought fantastic woodcarvings and displayed what they are doing in their village to conserve their environment. Other schools brought their own rainforest right in the building, an environmental song, and medicinal plants grown at their school. Certainly the judges found it a difficult task deciding the winning projects, since each school supplies as a prize for their efforts.

The Fair was full of other activities, a kite contest that brought over 40 kites, interactive environmental games, a student quiz, and booths from other environmental agencies. The Environmental Science Fair provides a highly active and stimulating environment for all of those who visit and participate in the activities.

Top | Teacher's Workshop | On-Site | Science Fair | Aprils Birthday | Rural Scholarships | Out-Reach | Toledo Out-Reach
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Story Source: Belize Zoo

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Belize; Zoos

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By Marsha Irwin (pool-71-115-149-175.gdrpmi.dsl-w.verizon.net - 71.115.149.175) on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 11:33 pm: Edit Post

I was part of the team in 1990-92 who worked on implimenting the Environmental Program. I'm glad to read that thru modifications they have been success in getting teachers involved.


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