Educating students about climate change

Ma. Teresa A. Bernarte

The Department of Education has created an online platform that can be accessed by teachers when they need materials for the lessons about climate change education, providing complete information and assistance to those who may need it. The agency introduced the microsite – containing curated resources for teaching climate change – to the public as a stepping stone for educating students about climate change. The microsite aims to intensify climate literacy among students as they are considered partners in taking action to climate change and stewarding the Earth, our home. The microsite provides general information on Climate Change Education in the Philippines, particularly the projects being done by the Department of Education. Aside from that, the online platform also contains resources created by DepEd for teachers and learners, references on teaching Climate Change, learning resources such as videos, lessons plans, and online activities. It also gives additional information on the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) which handles the promotion and institutionalization of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in the Department. The microsite can be accessed at bit.ly/DepEdCCE. Another material for strengthening Climate Change Education in the Philippines is the “KaLIKHAsan! Likha at Lakas ng Kabataan para sa Kalikasan: A Creative Sourcebook on Using Theater for Climate Education and Action”, an online sourcebook for teachers who may want to spread climate change awareness through theater and art. The sourcebook was developed following the success of the 2019 Climate Advocacy Show (CAAS), which was co-created and performed by 72 students from the Divisions of Malabon City, Navotas City, and Pasig City. The show tackled the climate change issues in our environment with the performance of the students from different parts of the country and boosted the influence of the youth in making a way to help prevent climate change. This creative online sourcebook was created to help teachers, theater and performance practitioners, and workshop facilitators to have a closer look at doing theater which is intended to make students perform and be a part of the steps in preventing climate change. It explains how to design and facilitate a collaborative performancemaking process with youth that includes climate action and the environment as central themes. There are five main sections of the sourcebook: the Background, Framework, Role, Toolkit, and Conclusion. The Kalikhasan Creative Online Sourcebook can now be accessed at www.deped.gov.ph/kalikhasan-creative-sourcebook. Through the following Climate Change Education materials, the DepEd DRRMS looks forward to giving knowledgeable and worthwhile experiences to all students and teachers as they all take action in the climate change issues. --oOo-