Collaboration between Science across the World and the Caretakers of the Environment?

Caretakers of the Environment

Caretakers of the Environment (http://caretakers.boker.org.il) is a volunteers organisation that organises conferences for teachers and students in June/July every year. The organisation attempts to make recommendations at both the local and international level. Developing plans of action, strengthening networks, discovering new teaching methodologies and the chance for young people, teachers and decision makers to work side by side on issues of common concern all combine to produce something that is unique and to be treasured (President Andrew Cox' words in the 'The Global Forum for Environmental Education', volume 14, number 1, 2004). The subject this year was 'School and Agenda 21: Educating young people for a sustainable future'.

The conference in 2004 (June 30– July 4) took place in Thessaloniki, Greece. The conference was hosted by the American Farm School, just outside the city.

Over 300 delegates from countries in all continents and a substantial Greek delegation showed their since last year's meeting in Kenya (2003). Students don't usually exchange their work and results with other schools during the year.

Science across the World in Greece

Anthoula Hatzitheodorou (Greek coordinator) and Lida Schoen (Dutch coordinator) of Science across the World presented three workshops about possibilities of the programme for students and teachers. For the first workshop we travelled with nearly all Greek participants to the Environmental Centre in Arnea on the peninsula of Chalkidiki. For an audience of about 70 students and teachers. Lida explained the programme, Anthoula talked about her experiences with extra curricular work and two of her students: Athiná and Georgia added their experiences. They voluntary worked after school time, this last year on the topic 'Domestic waste'.

The teachers and students asked many questions. Many science teachers asked for translations in Greek, because it is not always possible to collaborate with an English teacher permanently. Internet access can be a problem, although the situation in Greece is improving.

Representatives from Environmental Centres all over the country showed a keen interest to know more about Science across the World.

Science across the World in the world

The next day we presented the workshop for a group of 'international' teachers, including president Andrew Cox and other members of the Caretakers International board. Possible environmental subjects on offer are: Acid rain, Biodiversity around us, Domestic waste, Drinking water, Global warming, Renewable energy and Talking about Genetics.

As the Caretakers organisation originated from the USA, the board members present wondered why not more schools in the USA take part in the Science across the World programme.

On the last day, before the last session: evaluation and recommendations for future conferences, we presented Science across the World again for all present teachers, with Dina Tamoutseli (left in front row), the president of the local organising committee in the audience. She got a big very long applause for organising a wonderful conference in Thessaloniki at the end of the student sessions.

Future collaboration?

Can the strong points of the Science across the World programme:

·       ready to use teaching materials on environmental issues;

·       possibilities to exchange results with peers on standardised exchange form;

·       database with nearly 3000 possible partners all over the world;

·       hardly any costs to take part;

be combined with the possibilities offered by the Caretakers organisation:

·       succeeding to organise a yearly conference for students and teachers;

·       acquiring enough sponsor money to do so?

The next Caretakers conference 2005 will be in Portland, Washington State, USA with Biodiversity as the subject. Possibilities for collaboration?

Caretakers president Andrew Cox will discuss possibilities with Science across the World director Marianne Cutler in the near future.