iEARN Presentation 2011

N

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SPresenters : Abraham Fergusson

andRondelle Keller

About Trinidad and Tobago

Natural Disasters That Affect Trinidad and Tobago

We must get involved to protect our world and be prepared for disasters!

How we got involved!

• Sandwatch Project

• Water Testing

• Air Quality Testing

• Tree planting and Beautification Project

• Hikes (educational field trips)

• Influencing Policy Making

SandwatchHistory

• The Sandwatch Project was introduced to Trinidad and Tobago by the teacher, Mr Andy Paul

• It was formed in collaboration with UNDP

• Ultimately the project was formed because of the information that was learnt about climate change and its effects on our costal areas.

SandwatchObjectives

1.To reduce the level of pollution in the Caribbean Sea

2.To train school children in the scientific observation of beaches through field measurements and data analysis

3.To assist school children, with the help of their local communities, to use the information collected to better manage the region’s beaches

SandwatchField Activities

1.Select a beach for observation

2. Describe the beach

3. Measure the beach debris

4. Measure the water quality

5. Record the human activities on the

beach

6. Measure and record physical changes in

the beach

7. Collect sand samples and record

characteristics

8. Measure and record wave

characteristics

9. Measure long shore currents

10. Record the animals and plants

SandwatchWorld Environment Day

• On June 5th students from different schools across Trinidad and Tobago came together at Mayaro beach for the observation of World Environment Day.

• Activities included: beach clean up, environmental march and sand sculpting competition.

Beach clean up……..• 22 Schools and 4 CBOs participated• Several pounds of various types of debris

was found.

Environmental March……..

• After the beach clean up we took to the streets, marching for the environmental cause and handing out educational material about the environment to residents of Mayaro.

Sand Sculpting Competition…….

• Students formed teams to participate in the sand sculpting competition

• They had 15 minutes to sculpt using 2011 World Environmental Day theme “Forest: Nature at your service”

Environmentally inspired art……….

Water Quality Testing

• On World Water Day (March 22nd) students were engaged in the field operation of testing the water quality of the Lopinot River in Trinidad.

Water Quality TestingObjectives

1. To educate students about water quality

2. To train students in the field about determining the pH, turbidity, oxygen levels to deem water safe or unsafe.

3. To check quality of our nation rivers

Water Quality Testing Field Activities

• Select a river site for research

• Determine the width and depth of the river

• Determine the velocity of the river

• Determine the pH, turbidity and oxygen level of the water

• Describe the river surroundings and rocks, looking particularly at any visible human activity and source of pollution

Water Quality TestingResults

Site 1

Site 2

Site 3

Site 4

Site 5

DissolvedOxygen

4 ppm

4ppm

4ppm

4ppm

4ppm

Water Temperature

25 ˚C 25 ˚C 26˚C 27˚C 27˚C

pH level 7 8 8 7 8

Turbidity 0 JTV

0JTV 0 JTV

0 JTV

0 JTV

Air Quality Testing

• It is a brand new project.

• The project is being done in collaboration with the University of the West Indies – Atmospheric Investigative Research.

• It is a two phase project.

• Phase one of the project involves 36 different secondary schools.

• Objectives are to measure and record the levels of Ozone and Black Carbon pollution in and around the school area.

• Phase two involves 6 students from the University.

• Objectives are to measure and record the levels of Sulphur Dioxide and Ammonia pollution.

• Already high levels of black carbon pollution was detected around a school located in South Trinidad (an industrialised area).

• The ultimate objective is to produce data that can be presented to government officials so that laws and governmental action can prevent damage to the environment and students’ health.

Tree Planting and Beautification

• In late 2010 the Chemistry Students of El Dorado East formed an environmental club “Eldo Blue Gone Green”

• Objectives were to educate, plant trees, take hikes to ultimately stimulate the 1500 student population to action.

• In December 2010, we created a green area with benches and plants around a big tree on the school compound called “The Peace Park”.

• The Peace Park was created entirely on the money raised by the club members.

• It helped to provide relaxation, a place to study and where students loved to take photos.

• During the school week we took turns in managing the Peace Park and the other trees we planted around the compound

• We ensured….the park was clean and the plants were healthy and watered.

Hikes

• The students of the Environmental Club went on field trips to have a one on one experience with the environment.

• We were able to spot monkeys and learn about the different species of plants in the areas we toured.

• We also learnt our history.

Involvement in Policy Making

• This year we took an active role in policy making.

• We attended the EMA Green Business Forum and the RBC Water Business Forum.

• At these meetings we were able to contribute and speak to those people that are in office to make the changes we need.

Thank You For Your Attention