If you want to learn about the environment, go outside. That's the theory behind "C0-SEED," an education program now active in some New Hampshire Schools. NHPR's Trish Anderton has our story.
ON A SUNNY AFTERNOON IN NEW HAMPSHIRE?S WHITE MOUNTAINS, SEVERAL SCHOOLTEACHERS BEND OVER THE BANK OF THE ELLIS RIVER, SQUINTING AT PLANTS, AND SCRIBBLING THEIR LOCATIONS ON A HAND-DRAWN MAP.
23 50 theres a bunch of baby maples around here ?. We can measure that one ? this one right here?
AT FIRST GLANCE THE BANK LOOKS UNIFORMLY CARPETED WITH MOSS. BUT ON CLOSER INSPECTION ONE FINDS NOT ONLY THE BABY MAPLES, BUT BIRCH, WILD SARSPARILLA AND OTHER SPECIES. GILFORD ELEMENTARY TEACHER WENDY O?WELLERS IS AS EXCITED BY THESE DISCOVERIES AS ONE OF HER STUDENTS MIGHT BE.
. 144 I?ve never done mapping, and we?re sitting here going look at this look at this! The more you do the mapping the more you?re fine tuning your observation skills
THESE TEACHERS WILL TAKE THEIR NEW-FOUND SKILLS BACK TO THEIR CLASSES AND TEACH STUDENTS HOW TO MAP PLANTS. IT?S ALL DONE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ?COMMUNITY-BASED SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROJECT,? OR CO-SEED. CO-DIRECTOR DAVID SOBEL SAYS MAPPING IS A GOOD TO START GETTING KIDS INTERESTED IN THEIR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT.
19 106 this wd be part of a natural sci study, maybe they?re studying local flora and fauna, or plant ecology, looking at the little things coming up under the big things, so forest succession and other issues. The idea is that mapping projs serve as nice vehicle for lots of things.
CO-SEED BEGAN FOUR YEARS AGO AT THE ANTIOCH NEW ENGLAND INSTITUTE, AN ARM OF THE ANTIOCH GRADUATE SCHOOL IN KEENE. CO-DIRECTOR DELIA CLARK SAYS THE INSTITUTE WAS LOOKING FOR A WAY TO TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT WHILE CONNECTING THEM TO THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THEIR TOWNS.
when kids can learn abt their heritage in addn to enviro qualty, they?re learning abt stuff that?s of value to parents and to commty and it makes them more motivated to learn. Instead of learning abt orange goop coming out of a pipe somewhere in nj that?s generic, theyre learning abt something they can touch and feel
FOR INSTANCE, IN THE MONADNOCK AREA TOWN OF ANTRIM FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADERS DECIDED TO SPRUCE UP THE TOWN?S MEMORIAL PARK. THEY WORKED ON THE PROJECT EVERY DAY FOR FORTY-FIVE MINUTES, FIRST IDENTIFYING AND MAPPING EACH PLANT SPECIES, THEN REPLANTING SOME AREAS TO BEAUTIFY THE PARK. THE CLASS LOBBIED COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR FUNDING AND SPOKE WITH LONGTIME RESIDENTS ABOUT THE PARK?S HISTORY. IN THE END, CLARK SAYS, THE TOWN GOT A NICER PARK, AND THE CLASS FORGED A STRONGER BOND WITH THE COMMUNITY.
My sense is those kids when they grow up will return to park and feel they contributeed. I have this fantasy of someone bringing their 2year old and saying look what mommy did.
ANTRIM RESIDENT DOTTY PENNY HELPED OUT WITH THE PLANTING. SHE SAYS A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER, THE FLOWERS AND BUSHES STILL LOOK GOOD.
009 107 having kids involved and giving them responsibility was helpful bc there is trouble with vanadalism and it helps for kids to know it?s their park. // they were great, they were very enthusiastic I remember.
STUDENTS IN LITTLETON ARE STARTING A PROJECT THAT WILL FOCUS ON THE AMMONOOSUC RIVER AND ITS VITAL ROLE IN THAT MILL TOWN?S HISTORY. THEY?D LIKE TO CREATE A RIVER MUSEUM OR DISCOVERY CENTER. RISING FRESHMAN MORGAN NAPTON HAS BEEN SURVEYING RESIDENTS AND TALKING WITH TOWN OFFICIALS TO RAISE SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT.
27 05 you meet a lot of new people; you may have seen them around town but you don?t know them. Sometimes you get ideas you wouldn?t get otherwise; some of them have even joined the team
BESIDES STRENGTHENING THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND TOWNS, CO-SEED ORGANIZERS HOPE TO GET KIDS MORE INTERESTED IN THE OUTDOORS. TIM BREEN OF THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB IS INVOLVED WITH THE LITTLETON PROJECT. WALKING ON A TRAIL NEAR THE ELLIS RIVER WHERE THE TEACHERS ARE DOING THEIR MAPPING EXERCISE, HE SAYS SOME STUDENTS HAVEN?T SEEN MUCH OF THEIR NATURAL SURROUNDINGS.
16 00 in littleton when we ask, how many have hiked on the trails, it?s a significant number, but you?re surprised it?s not more. // So part of it is showing these kids how special the place is.
BREEN SAYS TOWNS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE?S RURAL AREAS OFTEN WORRY ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE GROWING UP AND MOVING AWAY. IF STUDENTS GET HOOKED ON NEW HAMPSHIRE?S MOUNTAINS AND RIVERS, HE REASONS, THEY JUST MIGHT STAY AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE STATE?S FUTURE. FOR NHPR NEWS I?M.
