Delta Environmental Centre - News - Deltalk - Winter Edition Vol 16 1998


*Winter Edition Vol 16 1998* CONTENTS: CURRICULUM 2005 - A DELTA PERSPECTIVE SPONSORS COME TO THE FORE TO SUPPORT DELTA LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE WITH A CANDLEHOLDER MADE FROM REUSED CANS! THE WATER WISE WITH WWET - AN UPDATE PROFILE - THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DELTA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTRE KLIPSPRUIT ON TRACK AT LAST CENTRE ACTIVITIES BOOKMARK SPECIAL THANKS!! LIVING LIGHTLY! DELTA'S EXTENSION SERVICE REACHES OUT! SPONSORSHIP CURRICULUM 2005 - A DELTA PERSPECTIVE Delta has been involved in Environmental Education activities since it's opening in 1986. What is Environmental Education (E.E.)? Environmental Education is a life long process which is interdisciplinary and is involved in local, national and international issues. It provides first hand experiences which develop skills that encourage people to become aware of their surroundings, make valid decisions and then take appropriate action. The human factor is part of this and consideration for both the historical and cultural are taken into account. Co-operation, partnerships and networking to solve problems in the environment is also encouraged. When one looks at the objectives of Environmental Education it is precisely what is needed in our chaotic world in order that we might bring a semblance of order into our environments and live in a socially responsible manner. It will not be easy to achieve this ideal situation and may be idealistic. This is not an insurmountable problem and we, in South Africa, are lucky enough to have some forward thinking educationalists who have set about implementing a new cirriculum which incorporates a great deal of the E.E. objectives. Curriculum 2005 is already being implemented by Foundation Phase teachers all over the country. This has not been plain sailing and numerous objections and problems have been raised, mainly revolving around the lack of funds and resources. What are the links between E.E. and Curriculum 2005? They both approach education in a holistic way i.e. they work in a cross cirriculum manner incorporating hands on experiences which lead the learner to discover for himself how his world works. Life skills are an important aspect f both of them, providing the learner with opportunities to acquire skills that will be a useful part of his daily life. In short both methodologies are life long processes which only end when the learner dies!! What is Delta's response? Delta has been proactive in seeking and obtaining sponsorship to provide teacher training and support for those teachers at the forefront of the new curriculum - the Foundation Phase teachers. Delta has been working closely with the Gauteng Department of Education district officers in organising training workshops and follow-up school visits with these teachers. Presha and her DANCED team have spent many hours training and helping those teachers to implement the new curriculum. They have, in many cases, been rewarded with seeing these new ideas put into practice in creative ways. Many schools celebrated Water Week in imaginative new ways with a very learner centered approach. Create-From-Waste competitions were held are several schools to highlight World Environment Day in June. Teachers are beginning to tackle the development of their own learning programmes thus taking ownership of the new curriculum. The Gold Fields / Rhodes University Participatory Course for Teachers, facilitated by Vivian and supported by Presha, also focussed on aspects of Curriculum 2005. Great strides were made with these teachers with several of them volunteering to train colleagues and teachers from neighbouring schools. All Delta's workshops regardless of theme or phase, include aspects of Curriculum 2005 such as practical activities, specific outcome links and assessment. Overall it would seem that with the right approach and support Curriculum 2005 can and is being implemented successfully. SPONSORS COME TO THE FORE TO SUPPORT DELTA Recently we have been fortunate enough to have received substantial sponsorships from 4 large companies who are all committed to Environmental Education and Training and feel that Delta has an important role to play in this field. They are: - (in order of receipt) SHELL SA - Delta's Extension Service is sponsored so that we are able to 'reach out' to communities who are not able to come to the Centre because of, for example, the cost of transport. Where possible the Delta staff offer workshops or presentations at venues that are more accessible to the groups, whilst not compromising our professional standards. By holding functions at other venues it allows us to interact with many more people in places further afield and in other provinces e.g. Venda! BP Southern Africa - BP's sponsorship is allocated to the re-printing of both Delta's promotional A4 brochure and 3 informative inserts as well as the colourful poster on the Centre and Delta Park. A colouring in competition will be organised in conjunction with Arbor Week and BP have provided some prizes to encourage entries. Over and above this project BP has earmarked funding for the improvement of the BP Room of Life in our Gold Fields Discovery Centre so that it can continue to offer stimulating experiences to all our visitors. Mike Maubane arranged a photo session at the Centre recently, in preparation for BP's Social report which is to be produced soon. Nestle SA- We were delighted when we were informed that Nestle would continue to sponsor the 'UBUNTU - BOTHO' resources files for teachers attending workshops at the Centre. These files are highly sought after by the teachers and are treated as a 'living' file which they are able to individualise and develop to suit their needs. Jackie du Plessis and Heather Robinson always give the Centre their whole hearted support and we are very grateful for this. Murray and Roberts - This sponsorship is allocated to the teacher training workshops. This is vitally important especially since the introduction of Curriculum 2005 into the schools this year. Delta's teacher workshop programme is not only aimed at the Foundation Phase teachers; we offer workshops to a wide range of teachers including Grade 12 teachers, on the topic of 'Population Dynamics'. We are working closely with a number of District officers of the Gauteng Education Department and this is giving us the opportunity to visit schools and discover how the workshop material is being interpreted. We are also getting valuable information on teachers problems in the classroom which helps us to keep our material relevant to their needs as well as being able to provide support. LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE WITH A CANDLEHOLDER MADE FROM REUSED CANS! You Need: 3 small sized cans (tomato paste, tuna and small jam tin) 3 lengths tin wire approx. 15cm and 3 lengths 30cm, 20cm, 15cm. Assorted beads for threading onto wire. 1 large curtain ring. Sharp nail. Wash cans thoroughly and make sure there are no sharp edges. Using a nail, punch a hole in the top of each can to attach a wire handle (1 15cm piece of wire) Now punch holes into side of cans - making a pattern - the pattern should be around the entire can. Paint the can with enamel paint of your own colour choice - silver or gold works well. Attach one longer wire to the middle of each handle and thread beads onto them. Attach top end of wire to the curtain ring and hand on a wall or hook. Place small, fat candles inside watch can so that they do not stick out of the top. Light and enjoy the flickering light!! THE WATER WISE WITH WWET - AN UPDATE The Water Wise education Team have been hard at work moulding the youth of Gauteng into 'Water Wise' South African citizens. The following are some of the activities they have been involved with in the past 3 months:- The 2020 Vision for Water Schools Project is progressing very slowly, but the team is working very hard with their partners and the schools to get this project going. Some workshops for trainers have been held at various venues and it is hoped that this will encourage those involved to take action. *Many schools have been involved* in testing the water quality of their local water sources and the WWET team are in the process of collecting their data. These results will be placed on a catchment map and filmed by 50/50 so that a good picture can be obtained of the present status of our catchments in Gauteng. WWET and Delta were nominated as finalists in the Green Trust Environment Awards: Water Conservation category but were unfortunately pipped at the post by Rhapsody Water Project. 1999 here we come!!! If at first you don't succeed, try and try again! *On Environment Day (5 June)* WWET facilitated a game of skill, education and fun known as the 'Water Wise Warriors'. Six primary schools got together at Ennerdale Primary School to compete against each other to see which school was truly 'Water Wise'. The team were invited to St. Stithians Founders Day and were impressed by a number of top-class projects - many of them water related. Mansi the cuddly 'Tapduck' has been visiting a number of the very young folk and encouraging them to be 'Water Wise' policemen. Manzi is so cuddly he is positively irresistible! The WWNET team visited Khabula Farm in the Magaliesburg where they conducted a training workshop on the use of the Resource Audit Kit. They in turn will be training delegates for the Independent Examinations Board. The Gauteng Education Department are enthusiastically getting involved in the '2020 Vision for Schools Water Project'. A 'train the trainer' workshop was held at Delta in July. This will enable the district officers to implement the project in all the schools in Gauteng. The team spread it's 'Water Wise' wings and went off to the 1998 EEASA Conference in Botswana. Many new friends were made and interesting information was gathered. WWET has been featured on KTV 'Water Wise'. For more information please contact Avril or Angelique at Tel: 888 4831. WWET WWET WWET has produced a wonderful fun-filled water conseravtion project entitled "Are you a Water Waster of are you Water Wise". For more information, contact Avril or Angelique at Tel: (011) 888-4831. PROFILE - THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DELTA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTRE It is time to take a look behind the scenes at Delta and get to know the people who serve on the Board of Directors of Delta Environmental Centre. Due to the fact that Delta is a Section 21 Co the members of the board are all Honorary Members. Many of these people have been associated with Delta since it was merely a vision in the eyes of founder and Honorary president, Mr Norman Bloom. Others became involved with their interests, skills and hobbies. Newer member have been recruited because of their interest in the work that is being done at Delta. However they become involved, there is no doubt that they are dedicated to Environmental Education and are able to help steer Delta into the future. I was fortunate enough to be able to speak to a number of the members about their vision for Delta and what they felt about our present endeavours. Some interesting points were highlighted during these interviews. It was generally felt that Delta was on the right track at present. It is proactive and a leader in the field of Environmental Education. It is dynamic and over the years has tried to meet the needs of the communities it serves and has done so with a good measure of success. In-service teacher education and training, a critical need in the educational field at present, is being earnestly addressed. There was a feeling of confidence that Delta was capable of providing a good basic foundation for the new curriculum due to its experience in Environmental Education. Many members felt that delta has gained great credibility in educational and business environments. Looking at Delta's future some trends became apparent. There was consensus that Delta should continue to be involved in teacher education, using the Environmental Education approach, as this was becoming more important in both the educational and the business sectors. Some members expressed the need for Delta to reach out to lesser known small centres and help them to develop good E.E. programmes, thus creating satellite. E.E. Centres. One great strength that was identified by the Board members was Delta's ongoing willingness to share experiences and expertise with a wide range of partners. This networking function will ensure that the staff at Delta are able to keep abreast of Environmental Education trends. The Board members are: Mr. Don Mavey (Chairman) Mr. Vincent Carruthers Mr. Thom Baloyi Dr. Yvonne Dladla. Dr. Bernard de Winter. Mr. Richard Hall. Mr Solly Mosidi. Mrs Nomonde Mapetla. Mrs. Eunice Sibiya. Mr.Gordon Summerley Prof. Hugo Van Rooyen Clr. Lorna Bishop Clr. Patrick Flusk Mr. Normal Bloom, the Honorary President Clr. Isaac Mogase, Mayor of Johannesburg, is our Patron. KLIPSPRUIT ON TRACK AT LAST Activities at the Klipspruit Environmental Centre (KEC) will hopefully soon be revived with the formation of a new and invigorated group of trustees. They are:- Peter Mokele (Acting Chairman), Motsumi Makhene, Lizzie Shiburi, Sonny Nyathi, Gugu Mdlalose, Faith Ponoane, Tom Baloyi and Daniel Tamane. The trustees have had several meetings over the past few weeks and funding proposals are already in circulation. It is hoped that these bear fruit in the very near future. CENTRE ACTIVITIES Rand Water and Delta's water project was a finalist in The Green Trust Awards competition 1998. We did not win but feel that this was in itself a great achievement!! The second round of DANCED workshops have been held in the 4 different districts and were very successful. The theme 'Litter and Recycling' has prompted many creative efforts at some schools. Delta has been involved in trailing a new project for Grade 7's at Mellville Koppies funded by The Green Trust. This has involved some local schools in testing materials which will be used by groups visiting the Koppies in the future. A number of Teacher Workshops have been held in the last few months and follow up visits to schools of participating teachers have also taken place. The Klipspruit Centre is back on it's feet with an enthusiastic team of trustees ready to tackle the project and make a success of it. Delta will be embarking on a theatre project that will involve residents in the Klipspruit area. Wenda has graduated from the 2 year ORT - STEP course she undertook with flying colours - well done!! The S.A. National NGO Coalition has produced a code of ethics and Delta has subscribed to this. Di, Vivian and Adeline the EEASA Conference which was held in Botswana in July. BOOKMARK Several new books and videos have been acquired by the resource centre in recent months: Help them Grow by L. Hurry & K Kirsten The Frog by Annie Kubler an interactive story book Fynbos by R Cowling & D Richardson Discovering Indigenous Forests at Kirstenbosch by S Argent & J Loedolff. Nu Metro kindly donated 3 videos on predators:- Bats, Snakes, The Hunters and the Hunted. The Resource Centre bought 4 videos from BMG's School Library Club: Galapagos: Beyond Darwin, Sharks, Elephants, Paleoworld: Mysteries of Extinction. SPECIAL THANKS!! Soroptimists International of Johannesburg for sponsoring the travelling costs to attend the EEASA Conference in Gaborone, Botswana. BEMCO (Barlows) in Gaborone for making 3 flatlets available during the EEASA Conference. Val Kleyn of CAN-I Radio for always being prepared to invite Delta staff into the studio. Barry Ronge of Radio702 for inviting Rob Filmer of Eco - Access and Di from Delta to talk about the SASOL Sensory Trail SASOL/LTA Construction/Sandton Rotary Club for working on the newly constructed water feature on the Sensory Trail. N.M.L.C. for a Grant-in-Aid of R15 000. Tony and Lisette Lewis Foundation for their generous sponsorship for teachers workshops in the N7 District (Randfontein). Blesston and First Paper House for sponsoring the Newsletter, and First Paper House for sponsoring the paper for the new brochures. Editor:- Carolyn Reid. LIVING LIGHTLY! By Carolyn Reid This year's World Environment Day's slogan is:-' Live Sustainably and Conserve'. We live in a world largely dedicated to material wealth, consumerism and power. In order to achieve these goals many aspects of or world environments are being ignored or wastefully used in order to make a 'quick' fortune. This attitude poses a very real threat to the future of our world as we know it. One simply has to look at the abuse of our surroundings - pollution of water, air and land, degradation of the soil and plundering of the oceans and natural forests. These acts are fuelled by the ever increasing needs of the people for food and shelter. In short the human race is firmly on the path towards destroying the planet if nothing is done to put a stop to it soon. A very important reason for trying to conserve our environment is the fact that many people rely on these natural resources to make a living and governments make use of them to provide countries with economic stability. In order that all people are given a fair shot at the ball it is important to use only what we need and to use it wisely. Our future and our children's future depend on how we manage and use the environment today. Our environment is made up of many different ecosystems - wetlands, forests, rivers, mountains, oceans and deserts, to name a few. These ecosystems are often interdependent and need each other to continue to survive. We, the human race, are completely dependent on the whole working environment for our very existence. It is these systems that provide, food, medicine, building materials, fuel, aesthetic experiences and goods for trading. We therefore need to care for and conserve the processes that support life on our earth. An additional reason for trying to conserve our natural resources is that many plants and animals contain a largely untapped store of genetic diversity which may lead to important cures for presently incurable diseases or discoveries that could improve the quality of life for many people. How do we encourage the average man in the street to change his life style and take the responsibility that conserving our environment brings? Through exposing him to his environment making him aware of it's importance and engendering a genuine love for it. EDUCATION! The earlier we can do this, the more likely he is to live more 'lightly' in his environment and thus conserve. Living lightly requires that we take all these facts into consideration and consolously make an effort in our daily lives to use our resources wisely and to encourage others in our communities to do likewise. 'Man is a complex being - he makes deserts bloom and lakes die!' (Gil Stern). DELTA'S EXTENSION SERVICE REACHES OUT! Although Delta's Extension Services has not been in the news lately it has been busily attending to the numerous requests for training and workshops it receives from local communities as well as those further afield. In fact in recent months our Extension officer Henry Wanyama and staff have travelled as far as Thohoyandou, Sekhukhuneland and Pietersburg where they have conducted and were received with enthusiasm. Several other teacher workshops were held at Delta, focussing 2 teachers workshops were run with N7 District teachers and several follow-up visits were made to the school. I was really encouraged to see how these teachers had used the information from the workshops to improve the resources at their schools and implement new methodologies. More workshop are being planned for the second half of the year, the first one being in August at Bophanang, on Technology. Follow-up visits have proved invaluable in helping Delta to provide more relevant services to the teachers, as well as providing them with support when they need it. Klipspruit on Track at last! SPONSORSHIP S.A. Breweries Beer Division, Alpha Ltd., The Bidvest, ESKOM, Neslte S.A., B.P. South Africa, Sappi Lit, Shell, S.A., WWF South Africa, Joint Education Trust, Swiss Re Southern Africa, Dept of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Liberty Life group, Gencor Development Trust, Ceres fruit juices, Pick 'n PAY, P.G. Glass and Shatterprufe Ind., M.S. Parker Trust, Basil Read, Murray and Roberts, Samancor Ltd., Consol Group, Blue Circle, ICI South Africa, Bilston Investments (Pty) Ltd., Nampak Management Services, Tongaat - Hulett Group Ltd., NBS (Germiston), DANCED, Rand Water, TOTAL S.A., S.A. Reserve Bank, A.B.I. Ltd., Northern Metro Local Council, Clicks, Fedsure, Mazda Wildlife Fund, Anglo American and DeBeers Chairmans Fund Educational Trust, Gold Fields Foundation, Standard Bank, National Recycling Forum S.A., National Parks (Honorary Rangers, Johannesburg), SASOL, Truworths, IDC., The Tony and Lisette Lewis Foundation.