ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ON THE MANGROVES IN BAIXADA SANTISTA: AN EXPERIENCE OF THE UNESP/CLP

Abstract

The responsibility of Universities is to be engage not only in scientific research, but also to translate information at an accessible manner to the community, thus fulfilling its social role and its responsibility in disseminating knowledge. Since 1998, the Research Group in Crustacean Biology (CRUSTA) have been researching the biology and management of one of the most important mangrove species: the uçá-crab (Ucides cordatus). To translate and transfer the knowledge generated by the Project Uçá I (1998-2002) and Project Uçá II (2003-2006) to the dissemination actors (teachers of the elementary education) and their students, a booklet on environmental education was prepared in a cartoon format where the theme is approached in depth and humour, using a language that is in the children’s reach. In the story, two children (Gu & Gui) discover the mangrove environment, with Prof. Magrão, a specialist of uçá-crab and mangrove ecosystem. Amazed, the children learn about the importance of mangrove and the peculiarities of its inhabitants. Although the story is centred in the life history of uçá-crab, other species are cited, and in such, enabling the children to understand gradually about the environment as a whole. At the end of the story, recreational activities are presented, where children learn by playing. Among the activities include colouring drawings, connecting dots, cross hunt, and even how to make a paper-folding crab (origami). Before the booklet is free distributed, students have their knowledge assessed using a colour drawing (green=correct; and red=incorrect), attend a short seminar (15 min.), receive the booklet and are evaluated once more to quantify the knowledge acquired. We compare the present environmental education project to a small “propagulum” (mangrove seed) that will develop to a strong tree when it finds a fertile ground, as long as it is nourished frequently by the educational process. The environmental education booklet, in a language directed to the students of the elementary education, will act alongside the aim of the project. The booklet is self-explanatory and do not require the attendance of the teacher, but rather the support of the teacher and the children’s family, who will certainly be requested to solve possible queries during the recreational activities. In this way, we foresee the knowledge disseminated to other members of the community, who will certainly get interested by the story of these two boys 21 PINHEIRO, M. A. A. et al. Educação ambiental sobre manguezais na Baixada Santista: uma experiência da UNESP/CLP. Rev. Ciênc. Ext. v.6, n.1, p.21, 2010. that learned about the importance of mangroves and the necessity to preserve it for future generations.