Case study: Lise TEMA Education Program– Activity Guidance-Towards Sustainable Life
Photo acknowledgement: ESRA DÜZGÜN BAYTEKİN esra.baytekin@tema.org.tr
- Secondary
- Indoor & Outdoor
- Experiment, Gardening / school garden / allotment, Hands-on activity
- Turkey
Lise TEMA Education Program– Activity Guidance-Towards Sustainable Life
Founded in 1992, the TEMA Foundation is a leading civil society organisation in Turkey dedicated to protecting and preserving the Earth’s natural assets, particularly its soils. Through science-based initiatives, TEMA works to promote sustainable living and social peace derived from a deep connection with the soil. One of TEMA’s flagship programmes, High School TEMA Education Program, is a year-long environmental education programme designed for high school students aged 14-18. Since 2014, the High School TEMA Education Program has been implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education and is carried out by volunteer teachers. In 2018, the content and scope of the High School TEMA Education Program was completely renewed.
Objective
The activities designed within the scope of the High School TEMA Education Program are designed to support young people to get to know natural assets more closely, to think about the impact of humans on the planet and to take an active role in finding solutions to problems. Since 2014, the High School TEMA Education Program has been implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education and is carried out by volunteer teachers. In 2018, the content and scope of the High School TEMA Education Program was completely renewed.
Approach
The program, which is implemented in 81 provinces of Turkey, has a total of 31 activity proposals, including 25 face-to-face and 6 online activities. Activities grouped under nine main topics: 1) Observing in Nature, 2) Ecosystem, 3) Biological Diversity, 4) Soil, 5) Trees, 6) Plants, 7) Water Resources, 8) Weather, 9) Sustainability. These activities cover various aspects of ecological literacy and sustainable living, encouraging students to explore the interconnectedness of human actions with the environment and sustainability. Almost all activities take place outdoors.
Program applications are received at the beginning of each academic year and program materials are delivered physically and digitally to the teachers whose applications are accepted. High School TEMA is implemented within the scope of different courses and club activities throughout the academic year. Teachers and students collaborate to carry out activities outlined in the High School TEMA Teacher Guideline, with a focus on practical, hands-on learning experiences. Teachers’ evaluations about the program and their practices throughout the year are followed up with the Application Follow-up Form, and at the end of the year participants receive certificates.
Although the primary focus of the High School TEMA programme is not soil, soil-related issues are covered. A gardening-related activity covers topics such as organic food, local seeds, biodiversity, compost, planting and harvesting. Another soil-related activity explores soil threats, erosion and contamination.