IMPACT STUDY OF THEME PARK PROGRAMME FOR STRENGTHENING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND AWARENESS

Abstract

In the present scenario, there are a lot of burning environmental issues such as climate change, excess use of fossil fuel, global warming, greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, different types of pollution, plastic pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, etc. As we know, learners can learn things through personal experiences and action in their surrounding environment and nature. Through their experiences, they develop their ideas and thoughts about the world around them; they interpret things according to their own experiences and thoughts. The teacher orientation programme helps them construct their knowledge about their action and activities, which affect the environment adversely. Such a programme also provides a platform where students, youth and teachers may share their experiences and ideas about current burning issues of the environment to know more about them. The Regional Institute of Education, Ajmer maintains a theme park, namely, an environmental educational theme park, to promote environmental awareness through interactive ways and brings school children and teachers to a forum to discuss their perspectives on environmental issues. The present study reveals that such environmental education theme park programmes help the students, youth and teachers update their knowledge and sensitise them to current burning environmental issues and alternative ways to convey the message of saving nature and its resources for future generations and sustainable development. The programme was evaluated by conducting achievement (pre-and post-test) tests containing test items based on different environmental issues and pedagogical aspects of environmental education.