Stars and STEM Stories
GLOBE Protocols Help Nature Club Students in Nepal Foster a Love for Science
The Nature Club Interaction Program was organized By the Environmental Camps for Conservation Awareness (ECCA) in Letang, Morang, Nepal between 13-15 December 2023, with 42 students from 14 schools in three districts: Morang, Dhankuta and Jhapa. The program's main goal was to increase awareness of The GLOBE Program and its Protocols. ECCA provided GLOBE kits to all schools and guidance on how to use them for new members and teachers of nature clubs. Experienced teachers demonstrated the use of the instruments to the new participants. The participants manually carried out misquito habitat mapping and tree height measurements using The GLOBE Program's App, GLOBE Observer with support from ECCA counselors.
The program focused on peer learning; experienced teachers and students shared their knowledge with new participants. The program has encouraged many previously passive schools to implement afterschool programs and engage different stakeholders for support. Despite time constraints, teams consisting of one boy, one girl, ad one teacher successfully carried out tree mapping, and their data was used to calculate the tree height. The program was successful, inspiring many to continue exploring more about STEM, climate and environment.
In Nepal, science education is uncommon in many schools, especially in rural areas. Learning science requires motivation, and hands-on activities are essential for practicing and doing science. However, many science student are not used to such activities, which creates discomfort while teaching. ECCA has introduced small scientific activities using GLOBE Protocols for climate learning to tackle this issue. This approach makes it possible for students to learn science in a fun and engaging way. ECCA believes in knowing, doing, and sustaining practices.
Nature Club members and teachers change or graduate from schools or clubs, so it is crucial to provide refresher training to maintain practices in schools. At the same time, GLOBE students and teachers should be given a platform to share their learning with other school students. This exposure helps showcare their skills and encourages them to become GLOBE Trainers. ECCA provides a platform for youth in conservation, community development, education for sustainable development (ESD), and STEM approaches in education, where The GLOBE Program is an essential assistive tool.
An ECCA program can further enhance GLOBE knowledge and be sustained through nature club members who can become GLOBE alumni and trainers. These trainers can serve as valuable resources for ECCA.
Encouraging an interest in science from an early age is vital to inspire students to pursue science throughout their academic careers. To achieve this, it is crucial for teachers to recognize the importance of science and to participate in scientific activities with their students. The GLOBE Program is an excellent tool that can be used to foster and enhance interest in science.
Images courtesy Yogendra Chitrakar (Executive Director for ECCA Nepal and Country Coordinator/Evaluation Working Group Chair for GLOBE International).
