SOS Culture local coordinators participated in the environmental education training course
From March 18th until the 22nd SOS Culture project coordinators from Berdavan, Varagavan, Akhtala and Alaverdi participated in the environmental education training of teachers in Vanadzor, Lori region. The training course was organized by the Armenian Tree Project Charitable Foundation in corporation with Ministry of Education RA, National Institute of Education, the International Committee for the Development of People (CISP) and Italian Development Cooperation. Practical activities were used during the training course were created by Recyclable Stories (Histoires Recycable) Association, which provides a large contribution to the nature conservation projects and educating young people. The Armenia Tree Project Charitable Foundation works in Armenia and Karabagh. The mission of the organization is the development of Armenia through reforestation, environmental education, and advocacy. Since 2004 ATP conducted various environmental projects such as tree plantings, environmental education projects and seasonal tree-regeneration programs. Those programs aim to develop local communities, especially the ones with fewest opportunities and protect native ecosystem.
The aim of the training course was to introduce teachers from different schools of the region to environmental education and its role in educational curricula. During those five days many important topics were discussed such as biodiversity, environment and cultural heritage, organic agriculture and GMO. The course was structured in a way that all participants were involved in the process of learning; they were free to express their ideas and opinions, suggest topics for discussions and interact with each other. Various games and activities were part of the training course through which teachers learnt and experienced different methods of teaching about the environment. The trainers were using participative and innovative methods, thus, introducing teachers to different approaches in pedagogy. Teachers learnt how to make a lesson plan for environmental education. Working in pairs they presented their lesson plans emphasizing importance of the issues as well as being creative towards their jobs.
After many great presentations and receiving certificates for their active involvement in the training course participants left promising to use the knowledge and skills they had gained and pass it on to their students.
