mmmmmmmmm
(is there a thinky emoticon)
Imaginos has written a great piece and so are the replies and finally matt raises a valid point. I started a position a couple of years ago to learn about env education, lowly paid but i loved it! One day sticks in my mind and the little boy didnt want to be there 'no where to play football' aghhhhhh!! when he got on the bus he tugged my coat and said 'Mr i cant wait to go to my grannies (inner city school, no garden
) and build habitats for slugs, worms and woodlice' JOB DONE!! that set me on the road to where i am now, working for myself as a tutor in schools and education centres.
I try to capture a style between the 'god' and 'showman' ( David atttenborough and steve irwin)
I try to get the children excited but not manic, inquisative (sp?) but not peoplehandling(PC
) specimens. I explain we have fantastic colourful creatures with interesting lives in this country, but sadly there is a huge misunderstanding and distance between people and their surroundings. Ask a child what they will find in apond or river 'crocs, turtles, alligators, pirahna etc etc' most have no idea. You can see the children who have parents who take an interest in their children they are the ones with the right answers. Too many expect school to supply all schooling and outside school they parent doesnt have to do anything, ooh don't get me started on education and its current state, or parenting!!!!!!!!
The tick issue on the forums is one issue I have had children being refused to go into the countryside by parents as we forewarn about ticks, the same with river studies and weils disease the poor girl stood and watched a friends get wellyfulls in the sun. There are plenty of studies which show a childs ability to recollect is approx 30% increased by linking to events whilst they are learning eg Jonny falling in or losing a boot in the mud.
'get them out of the classrooms and into the world' A good trip out will introduce numeracy, literacy, history, science and citizenship, well it does with ME!!
In answer to the posting 'how to promote conservation?' Talk, i bored people stupid
in the beginning now i keep it short, sweet and informative!
Go for obscure info about moths, mammals, natural history, lifecycles (im giving away all my trade secrets
) im sure you all knew those!