Ensuring the earth’s future viability needs affirmative action today from businesses and the community. It also means educating and empowering the adults of tomorrow.
Earthkeepers™ is an earth education program designed for 10 to 11 year olds, which helps students understand ecological concepts, develop environmental perceptions and take action to lessen their impact on and increase their contact with the natural world.
The program begins with a three day springboard experience that sets the stage for the remainder of the program back in the classroom and at home.
All of the activities take place outdoors in a natural setting, providing students with a real world context and with plenty of opportunities for further examples and reinforcement.
The Earth Education Research and Evaluation Team from the University of Arizona conducted an independent evaluation in February 2007.
It found that as a result of participation in
the Earthkeepers™ program, students:
- had an increased understanding of ecological concepts
- changed their environmental perceptions
- changed their personal environmental actions.
It also found that students and teachers were highly satisfied with the Earthkeepers™ program.
Ricoh has been involved with Earthkeepers™ since 2003, assisting local schools with funding and working closely with community groups to establish the program in Australia.
If you would like more information about the Earthkeepers™ program, email marketing@ricoh.com.au or visit www2.ricoh.com.au/web/aboutus.nsf/About/CommunityInvolvement.html
* Copy supplied by Ricoh
