ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION

Soil and Earthworm

Gheshigen made level 1 (age 6-7) understand soil and the significance of earthworm in making the soil fertile.  With the introduction of 4 types of soil namely red soil, garden soil, sand and compost he explained to students relevance of compost and earthworm and how it links to our own survival.  The session end with the message that our daily activities should be geared towards increasing the microorganism.  Microorganism help in the soil fertility which in turn help in thriving of living thing.

Gheshigen showing earthworm filled compost to level one students.

Students enriched their experience by colouring the earthworm pictures.

Sense of achievement through colouring the earthworms.

Examing 4 types of soil.

Feeling the earthworms. PSM students are given an opportunity to dwell and understand nature closer.

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Earth Day  2019 – “Save Our Species”

Students scoured their surrounding area and found branches, twigs, shrivelled flowers, dried leaves, barks, roots, mouldy  coconuts, shells, pebbles, dead insects etc.  They discussed how these seemingly insignificant things that we deem as waste actually play a great role in the survival of variety of species in their surrounding areas. 

“In nature, nothing exists alone.”- Rachel Carson, 1962

பகுத்துண்டு பல்லுயிர் ஓம்புதல் நூலோர்

தொகுத்தவற்றுள் எல்லாந் தலை 

                                   குறள் – 322

அறமான செயல் என்பது அழிக்காமல் இருப்பதே இதனால் மற்ற அறச்செயல்கள் தானாக வரம்படும். எல்லா உயிர்களுடன் பகுத்து உண்பதே தலை சிறந்தது. தேவையின்றி அழிப்பவன் தலை இல்லாத முண்டம் போன்றவன்.

INSECTS – LEVEL 3

Theeban Gunasekaran guiding students to understand insects and relating it to our own existence.

Student Nyaalan recounting his experience being stung by a bee when trying to capture its image in his camera.

SEEDS –  LEVEL 3

One lady’s finger has many seeds within it which means we can grow endlessly to feed and nourish the human kind.  Nature always gives in abundance.  Follow nature to to live a fulfilling life says Theeban Gunasekaran.

Theeban Gunasekaran with his vast experience in seed saving shares with the students the need to save seeds as it is equal to save humanity. He stressed how current generation is manipulating the God given resources for their own selfish end and suggested to students to always resort to healthy activities in their future endeavours.

Introduction of prominent environmentalist that fight for humanity will serve as a boost for students to follow the right path, says Suseela Nagappan.

Gheshigen with the seeds.

 

PANCHABOOTHANGGAL –  LEVEL 3

Meaning :

Siva! You are the five elements – space, earth, wind, fire, and water. You are the body and soul. You are the truth and false.  You are all things manifest and unmanifest. You are the lord. You make every one function and make them think ‘I’ and ‘mine’.   I am at a loss for words as to how to praise you.

A song from Thiruvasagam sung by ManikkavAsagar the Saivite saint of 9th Century well explains the significance of these 5 elements in the nature, for our survival and well being. Since ancient time, conserving and caring for nature is important facet of worship. Students were made to ponder on this aspect through discussion by Gheshigen.

RECONNECTING WITH TREES – LEVEL 2

Trees exist in our daily life but unconsciously we refuse to connect with them most of the time.  Trees are the boon that bestowed upon us.  Unfortunately we ignore the boon.  Children were given a barren tree and through sketches they came out with ideas on how  trees create life around them.

PANCHABOOTHANGAL – LEVEL 2

Five elements namely Neer (Water), Nilam (earth), Kaatru (Wind), Aagaayam (Space), Neruppu (Fire) and its link to nature need to be studied to understand their significance in our life and how to judiciously use them to improve our health and maintaning positive connection with the earth.

Gheshigen explaining to the children the importance of the 5 elements through his actions.

INSECTS – LEVEL 2

Insects play a very crucial role in the food production.   Many of us are not aware of this and continue killing the insects indiscriminately and hence disturbing the food web which consequently threatens the food production. To understand nature, cause and effects and to show our reverence to nature , insects need to be learned and understood too.  The purpose of the topic is to give students a holistic approach towards life.

Children level 2 learned about insects and its link to their very own existence.

Learning to differentiate between beneficial insects and harmful insects. Theeban Gunasekaran expounded well on the concept.

Student Narshini ever eager to learn and share her own understanding about insects.

Sensory integration. Theeban Gunasekaran assisted by Gheshigen make students listen to the sound of the insects and find out all about the insects. This method rouse the curiosity of the students. Student Rupashree trying to guess the insect.

Theeban and Manghalam guiding students to understand insects.

 

SEEDS – LEVEL 2

Students (level 2 – age group 8-9) learn about the importance of seeds for the survival and sustainability.  Children were taught how to plant their own seeds, bring back home what they had planted and observe its growth.

Level 2 students planting their own seeds.

Theeban Gunasekaran as environmental education officer of Consumers Association of Penang contribute to enhance the knowledge of students in ecology.

Seeds are not just the source of life. It is the very foundation of our being. – Vandana Shiva

Suseela Nagappan explains about different kind of seeds and the elements needed for sprouting.

SUCCESS STORY – LEVEL 2

Students brought back the sprouted green gram beans  to class in the following week to share their achievement in taking care of the plant.