Kirstenbosch Environmental Education Programme
|
The Kirstenbosch Environmental Education Programme started in 1996 at the Gold Fields Environmental Education Centre. It has grown tremendously since that time and now consists of a number of different focus areas. The Garden-based School Programme offers lessons to learners from Grade R to Grade 12 in the magnificent Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden . A team of trained and dedicated education officers facilitate these lessons which engage learners with the range of topics shown in the Learning Programme Menu. Schools, including Pre-Schools, are also welcome to organise their own 'self-guided' education programmes in the Garden. The Kirstenbosch Outreach Bus provides free transport for learners from disadvantaged areas but a school may only use the bus a maximum of three times per year. This applies to "self-guided" groups as well as Senior Citizens wishing to use the bus. The Outreach Greening Programme works with schools and communities to establish indigenous water-wise gardens. The three-year programme aims to provide learners, educators and community members with the knowledge and practical skills required to plan, establish, maintain and extend their gardens. It also encourages environmental responsibility and economic empowerment. The educational value of the gardens is promoted through Teacher Professional Development Workshops run at the Gold Fields Centre. Teacher Professional Development is our third focus area. At present, it consists of workshops which are linked to two programmes, the Outreach Greening Programme and the National Lotteries-funded "Biodiversity Education and Education for Sustainable Development" Programme. These workshops aim to build the capacity of educators to incorporate various aspects of environmental education into the school curriculum. Resource Materials Development is the fourth focus area of the Kirstenbosch Environmental Education Programme. Educators can contact us about the range of teaching and learning resource materials that we have available.
|
For more information contact Michelle September Education Staff Roleen Ellman Sally Hey Benjamin Festus
|
