Environmental science at schools
A few days back, I had been to a school to provide teachers with technical help related to environment related projects. During the discussion, I came to know about some interesting activities being conducted in one of the classes; With a view to teach students about how a seed turns into a plant, they have practical demonstrations and hands-on activities. Similarly, another class did projects based on biogas production. Most of the teachers seemed to be very Eco-conscious. Yet, even the teachers seemed to lack knowledge related to many of the activities. This led to a thought.
Why not introduce environment science as a part of main curriculum at schools. At least 1 or 2 hours of this class per week would go a long way in improving the state of our planet. This subject could include theoretical and most importantly practical lessons in rainwater harvesting, biogas generation, energy efficiency etc. Just like every school has a lab, every school could have a tree nursery. Each student could be made responsible for one sapling, from seed to tree in an year. How many crores of trees could be planted in a year!! Also, with renewable energy technologies being taught in practical form, think of the innovation that would result when the children grow up; assuming at least a few would be inspired.
Also, from my past year’s experience at Sapgreen, I have seen that children in cities lack respect for saplings or trees. I have seen them vandalize saplings I had planted; for no reason. I can’t blame the children for such acts as I have seen that the reason for this behaviour in most cases was ignorance. If the same children had learnt the process of growing a seed into a tree practically, I am sure they would be much more caring for other trees too.
Its just a matter of government policy. One small change in the rule book could change a whole lot of things for the world. For the time being though, I am trying to get one school to make this activity part of its curriculum.
3 Responses to “Environmental science at schools”
July 16th, 2009 saat: 8:40 pm
Good work. But expecting government to change the rule is difficult. If schools can include unwanted subjects like ‘moral science’, it would be better for the children if they included environmental science.
July 19th, 2009 saat: 1:37 pm
Nice one Ashwin….Good point
Instead of Government school’s management should take the responsibility of teaching the Environmental science as the part of curriculum..so that out of 10 students atleast two-three can think about environmental problems and atleast one can execute his plans to improving the situation…I dont think so In cities now a days many of the school’s dont have enough space for gardening and planting….In our villages, School’s have enough space.. a part of it used as play gound and part of it used for growing vegetables(Teachers of the school who stays nearby town or place will use these vegitables) and other flowering plant in rainy season…But no one teaches how to save the environment??…and how to retain our available sources…???…
…Me,myslef doing nothing towords improvement…eventhough we knew this much…:)
July 22nd, 2009 saat: 2:39 pm
Do you think introducing Environmental Science in Schools will change?? In fact, CBSE or ICSE students already have this as a additional subject in schools. All this will go as part of school activities and exercises, there will be no change once the students are out of their academic studies. A good thought already implemented.. but no change!!!
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