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2.0 POSSIBLE TOPICS FOR INFORMAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION EESS MODEL
The following simple components can be considered for EESS for awareness and data generation among the students with community :
1. Physical: Temperature, wind, rain, dust, soil-land open space, energy, noise, debris and radio activity.
2. Chemical: Water quality, air quality, solid wastes, odor, energy sources materials and chemicals.
3. Biological: Flora, fauna, biomass, diversity and pathogens.
4. Socio-Economical: Population, Economic activity, Housing. Slums, Health, Hygiene, Sanitation, Recreational, Education and Basic Facilities.
In environmental health monitoring the relevant simple components and the indicators are considered for a real time study. These indicators are further used to quantify the environmental costs and developing the environmental indices parameters selected from the components and indicators are further considered for the proposed model for inculcating ecological awareness and initiating data generation studies at the academic institutions. The parameters selected for studies in the model could be utilized with the existing library and laboratory facilities of the schools and colleges with simple techniques. Programs for the whole year can be preplanned after detailed consideration for each of the academic institutions environmental factors and requirements.
3.0 EESS BASIC MODEL - RESULTS OF A PILOT STUDY
The pilot study of the EESS model was carried out during August 1987 to February 1988. The model has been continuously validated. Recently, inadequate health threatening water supply and sanitation was carried out by over 13 science and engineering students. The total number of students in the college for 1988 study was about 2500 and of them about 150 were nature club members. When he project was briefed to the students about 60 of the nature club members joined and chose a topic of their choice. The topic of study and the activities carried out are listed at Table-2 to 6.
There were three experts and popular science activists who were involved in the guidance of the students on the preparation of formats, procedures, methodology and the student’s reports. The model presented in his paper is based on the experiences in the pilot study. The experts met one hour a week with each of the student groups, and action plans on the theoretical and field work was planned for the week. The basic aim of the project was the environmental awareness, and useful data generation on the selected parameters of study. The methodology and the various activities are presented at Tabl-2, 3, 4. The experts and students met one hour a week in the early morning before the classes could start and was convenient for the experts. The activity is planned for 32 weeks with one hour a week for 8 months.
The study worked under the project in the following areas. Since the basic aim was to impart environmental awareness, greater emphasis was laid on theoretical studies in the library and from other sources including field visits. In the following areas, studies reported the results in an interim and a final report presentation programme. Exhibitions were organised after 16 weeks displaying the student’s findings for the other students and the community.
