Students, education, change --> progress!

I met the future. Yet again. This time it was a collection of 8th standard students from Army Public School, Bangalore... on Saturday, 8 August 2009. I came away very happy, but again awed at the responsibility that lies upon each of us!

I had the joy of conducting a workshop (titled: "It's getting HOT here!") for about 25 students in a 200-year-old barracks laid out elegantly and functionally with tables, chairs, and projection equipment. Upon arrival with Aparna (CSM's intern at the time), we were greeted by the students with great elegance and smiles. 

This workshop -- and other activities -- are part of CSM's initiative "Democratising Climate Change Discourse"; our effort at outreach and climate change education. (I will describe this initiative in next week's blog.)

In this interactive workshop, we looked at the basics of climate change. We started with the difference between "weather" and "climate". The kids were right on the ball from the get-go. Very clued-in. Then we proceeded to look at how we describe the two (weather and climate) and what are the factors affecting them. In this, we looked at human action as a major factor (we introduced "anthropogenic" into our vocabulary at this point) .

From there, we looked at the concept of a greenhouse, the natural and enhanced greenhouse effects, historical problems, and predictions for the future. We concluded the workshop with kids working in groups and coming up with individual and group actions that they could -- and would -- initiate to do their part in making their lives greener. The recommendations were well-thought-out and well-presented.

The Principal of the school, Mrs. Manjula Raman, has taken this topic on in all seriousness for Army Public School. On the second Saturday of every month, I will be at the Army Public School with some group or other of kids sharing some information on the basics of climate change with them.

The events are all interactive and interdisciplinary. Throughout, we keep looking at how the various subjects are interconnected and how these interconnections work in the issue of climate change.

This was the first group of kids I met for climate change knowledge-sharing. Their enthusiasm, intelligence, sincerity, and honesty has elevated my own morale significantly. It has also made me feel somewhat more scared that we, adults, are not paying enough attention (if at all) to their voices and concerns on topics that affect them so directly.

Here.

Now.

And in the future.

A Kannada version of the basic (or 1-star) level workshop for students is almost ready. The 2-star level workshops in English and Kannada for students is also getting ready. At the soonest possible, other schools will see these workshops and other activities (e.g.: film screenings, quizzes, competitions etc.).

"The future" is something we adults have to take mighty seriously and do all we can to reverse the damage we have done to the world that these kids are going to rule over.

The duty is moral, spiritual, and civic.

Contact me to organize climate change education events at your institution.

Read the full report (PDF file) on the Army Public School workshop.

"Shabhaash, India!"

The Army Public School, Bangalore

For committing resources and energies to make climate change education part of students' learning.