Marine Education and Awareness
Mahonia Na Dari’s marine education and awareness program has proven to be a powerful tool in building support for conservation, increasing environmental awareness and inspiring local action to protect reefs, waterways, turtle nesting areas, sea grass beds, mangrove areas and cultural sites. It has three main components:
• The Marine Environmental Education Program (MEEP)
• Field excursions
• Outreach activities
The Marine Environmental Education Program
The Marine Environment Education Program (MEEP) was first developed in 1997 and targeted secondary school children in the Kimbe area.
Today it runs as four programs targeting secondary school students (Intensive MEEP), Grade 9 primary school students (Junior MEEP), primary school teachers, (Teachers MEEP) and Elementary school students (Baby MEEP).
Sections of the MND MEEP manual have been incorporated into the mainstream provincial primary school curriculum and developments are underway to make this a digitally downloadable resource.
Intensive MEEP
9 - 10 day program for secondary school students.
Classroom and extensive practical sessions covering a wide range of subjects including marine biology, conservation, scientific survey methods and coral reef ecology.
Junior MEEP
Adapted MEEP for primary school students.
Baby MEEP
Students aged 6 - 10
1 day session
Content includes reef walks, storytelling, artwork, videos and puppet shows.
Teacher MEEP
5 - 10 day workshop to equip teachers with the skills they need to deliver effective environmental education in schools and communities.
"Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world."
Nelson Mandela
Field Excursions
Field excursions run by Mahonia Na Dari, based at Walindi Nature Centre, take many forms depending on the specific requests from the community and schools. Community groups sometimes want those placed in positions of responsibility regarding marine resources to have the opportunity for hands on experience of coral reefs and their inter-relationship with reef inhabitants.
Similarly, secondary school students with a particular interest in the marine environment can request a Biology Field Excursion or Intensive MEEP. Students then have practical hands on sessions in subjects and issues of their choice.
Primary and elementary students are also catered for along with other interested groups. The participants can come from anywhere in the country or overseas for up to five days at a time. The groups are accommodated in the dormitory style facility at Walindi Nature Centre with options for catered or self catering available. Mahonia Na Dari staff conduct the program with input from visiting scientists and researchers.
Contact us to discuss your community, school or other group visit.
Outreach
In order to deliver its educational message to as many people as possible, Mahonia conducts outreach activities, visiting schools and villages both in West New Britain and further afield.
These outreach activities are suitable for adults and students and are conducted by Mahonia Na Dari staff and trained marine educators.
