Teachers in 72 junior high schools in Da Nang have just been trained to improve their capacity to organise teaching sessions integrating knowledge about the city’s nature, environment, and biodiversity into natural science subjects, career guidance and local education experiences.

An agreement to develop the Da Nang Nature website (http://thiennhiendanang.vn) to serve education on nature conservation, biodiversity and environmental protection. Photo: HOANG HIEP

In early October 2024, the University of Education, a member of the University of Da Nang-UD) and the Da Nang Department of Education and Training, the GreenViet Biodiversity Conservation Centre jointly organised training courses for teachers of grades 6 and 8 in 72 public, private junior high school.

The courses helped them improve the capacity to organise integrated teaching of local biodiversity knowledge in natural science subjects, career guidance and local education experiences.

This activity was within the framework of the project ‘Conservation of red-shanked douc langurs in Da Nang through community awareness education’ by Synchronicity Earth (UK), approved by the municipal People's Committee under Decision No. 1241/QD-UBND dated June 15, 2024.

Teachers were provided with knowledge about nature and biodiversity in Da Nang by scientists and experts. They were also guided to exploit resources from the Da Nang Nature website at https://thiennhiendanang.vn to serve teaching, imparting knowledge and organising educational activities for students; integrating knowledge of local nature and biodiversity into natural science subjects for grades 6 and 8, local education activities and career guidance experience activities...

Furthermore, teachers were guided to develop skills in organising practical classes on nature and biodiversity with a large number of students, especially learning and experiencing nature and biodiversity on the Son Tra Peninsula.

Master Han Thi Thanh Huyen, an official from the Da Nang Department of Education and Training, said that in the education programme at the junior high schools in the city, natural science, career guidance experience and local education are related to nature education and biodiversity in the city.

The previous education programme focused on knowledge and books, while the new one focuses on reality and learning closely linked to reality. Integrating knowledge and vivid visual images as well as practical experiences about nature, the environment and biodiversity aims to achieve educational goals.

One of the tools to support teachers in developing lesson plans and organising nature and biodiversity education activities is the Da Nang Nature website at https://thiennhiendanang.vn/ with more than 3,000 photos, videos, and document materials about nature, the environment and biodiversity of the city, divided into 6 groups of content: the Son Tra Peninsula, red-shanked douc langur, Ba Na - Nui Chua Nature Reserve, Nam Hai Van special-use forest, Da Nang marine ecosystem and pond, lake and river ecosystems. This website is also very useful for students, pupils, and the whole community to learn and do research.

Currently, the Centre for Learning Resources and Information Technology of the Da Nang University of Education and GreenViet are jointly developing the Da Nang Nature website to enhance educational materials on biodiversity in the city and provide information on animals, plants, ecosystems, and nature reserves; develop a digital technology platform to support education on nature conservation and biodiversity through the integration of online learning materials, educational materials, and communication tools; support the organisation of nature conservation education activities for students, pupils and local communities through training programmes, seminars and extracurricular activities.

According to Master Nguyen Thi Tinh, an officer from GreenViet, integrating knowledge about nature and biodiversity in the city into the teaching programne at junior high schools, along with educational activities and practical experiences, will spread the love of nature, environment and biodiversity among pupils. This helps to foster and raise awareness and responsibility of pupils, and the young generation of citizens in general, to continue the work of protecting the environment, conserving nature and biodiversity.

Reporting by HOANG HIEP - Translating by A.THU