Networking in Education for the Global Environment

Contents:

• Background

• Conference Sessions

• Conference Events

• Field Trips and Activities

Three months ago, the United Nations held an experts meeting here at the Desert Research Institute. Representatives came from across the globe to discuss how countries can implement sustainable development practices.

During the five years since the Earth Conference in Rio, the term "sustainable development" has become a household term for environmentalists around the world. More than 160 nations have signed "Agenda 21" treaties in support of sustainable development. Yet, as one delegates pointed out, balanced land use won’t become common practice in a country unless everyone becomes involved, from the policymakers and scientists to the village level.

The delegates spent four days and nights hammering out possible ways for individual countries to set policies, train leaders, conduct research and much more. By the end of four days, the U.N. teams had piles of proposals for how governments can organize environmental studies and implement policies.

This week, delegates from across the globe come together at the same location - to share mutual environmental concerns and strategies at the "village level". This year’s Caretakers meeting on environment and communication is a natural follow-up to the U.N. experts meeting.

This year’s theme, "Environment and Communication," will be reflected in workshops and discussions exploring:

• benefits of bringing cross-cultural groups together to deal with common goals in environmental issues

• tools and strategies to share environmental education information between communities across the globe

Caretakers conferences are generally scheduled in different parts of the globe each year in the hope of exposing participants to new environments and issues. The setting for this year’s conference will be dramatically different from the seashores, Antarctic ice and woodlands of previous conferences. This year, delegates will visit the heart of the Negev Desert in Israel - where they can experience deserts that receive no more than 25 to 200 mm (1-8 inches) of rainfall per year.

What better place to gain an appreciation for the beauty, natural history and human history of the desert - an ecosystem that represents more than 30% of the earth’s lands. And what better place to learn about desertification, a devastating process which threatens 250 to 900 million people across the globe.

The "Negev97" organizers at Midreshet Sde Boker welcome you to take advantage of the many desert research and educational centers on campus to enhance your desert experience.

Conference Sessions

Session I

11:30-13:00

A. Joint Environmental Projects in the Middle East
Chairperson:Dan Perry

Regional Approach to Nature Conservation as the Only Chance of Success in Long Term
Dan Perry, 30 years in nature conservation. Emeritus Director General, Nature Reserves Authority; Senior Advisor, CRP Foundation; Chairperson, Middle East Nature Conservation Promotion Association.

Ancient Routes/ Crossroads for People Today: Ecotourism and Development
Avner Goren, Associate Research Fellow, W.F. Albright, Institute of Archaeological Research.

A.I.E.S. Environmental Leadership Center: A Model for International and Local Cooperation
Jim Klein, Hashem Shahin and Tamir Yaari Graduate Students at Arava Institute for Environvental Studies (A.I.E.S.) studying environmental issues and acting towards their solutions.

Program will list a number of projects undertaken by students.

B. Alternative Learning Environments
Chairperson: Dr. Gad Alexander

Environmental Information turns to Knowledge: How Technology Can Help.
Dr. Gad Alexander - Head of the Curriculum Instruction and Learning Education Dept. at Ben-Gurion University; Former teacher at Sde-Boker; Principle Investigator in many interactive projects using computers and schools.
Many issues in environmental education are based on critical information. But, their meaning is based on the way this information is processed and presented. Technology can help in acquiring the information, processing the data, communicating and presenting it.Video, internet and software examples will be shown to demonstrate these claims.

Learning Environments: Future Scenarios
Dr. Moshe Dror - Coordinator, Computer Center Beit Yatziv, Beer-Sheva, Coordinator, World Future Society (Israel Node: Education Futurist)
Education is shifting from teaching to learning; from centralized schools to anywhere anytime, anything learning, light-based knowledge-based modules.

School in a Post-Modern Environment
Ms. Elaine Akotonas - Vice-principal, Ms. Manuel Atias - Principal
and students, Newman High School, Beer Sheva.
The individual in a post-modern environment and the role of the school in preparing him to be a lasting learner.

C. Tour Environmental Projects Across the Globe Using the Internet
Chairperson: Ms. Futima Matos Almeida

Studies of Ecology and Environmental Issues through Computer Mediated Israeli High Schools
Dr. Sarah Kliachko and Ms. Naomi Zion
Dr. Kliachko - Teacher Trainer in creating new learning environments including computer technologies in the classroom, Makash-Keshev.
Ms.Zion - Coordinator, Makash-Keshev.
The presentation describes the structure of projects, goals in changing teacher’s attitudes toward the introduction of computer technologies and the use of a variety of information resources to the classroom, its goals in developing scientific skills as well as team work and peer teaching of students and the formation of new learning communities through computer communication.

GREEN (Global River Environmental Education Network)
Ms. Renate Foks (Holland) - Dutch GREEN County Coordinator
Program will introduce "GREEN", an international network that promotes watershed stewardship and sustainability through educational programs and global communication. Will also introduce ways to explore GREEN projects through internet.

21st Century Global Schoolhouse Project
Mr.David Lloyd, is a senior English-as-a-second language and computer teacher at the High School as well as webmaster and founder of the Ramat-Negev FREENET which serves educational and private communities. David is a founder of the Israeli English Teachers network on the Internet and coordinator of such environmental computer programs as GLOBE.

Ms.Hannah Sivan is a senior teacher in geography, biology and environmental studies at the Environmental High School. She is helping the high school pioneer use of the Internet for teaching environmental studies with such programs as the 21st Century Schoolhouse and Kidlink
The 21st School is an International Group of Six High Schools from around the globe collaborating via the Internet to address international challenges facing future generations. Students study conservation, preservation and restoration of natural resources and develop strategies that promote social equity, ecological integrity and economic prosperity. The project involves an International Youth Summit in Oregon this September.

D. Optional Field Trip - Desert Research Institute
Guided by Mrs. Rachel Guy

Session II

15:30-17:00

A. Environmental Ethics and Education
Chairperson -Mr.Eilon Schwartz

Conflicting Visions of Environmental Education
Mr. Eilon Schwartz, School of Education, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Director of Heschel Center for Nature Studies
The Environmental movement is, in fact, made up of differing and often conflicting visions of exactly what "environmentalism" means and as a consequence, what environmental education should be about. This paper analyzes three different views of environmentalism: the scientific-rationalist, the pristine nature-romanticist, and the place-based communitarian which will be advocated as the preferable option.

What is Permaculture?
Mr.Jan Bang, Environmental Studies Teacher and Farmer, Kibbutz Gezer, Israel
Global Ecocrisis, environmental footprints; Rise of the eozoic era,;Learning from nature, pattern and design, dynamic relationships, zones and references

Nature and Me. What Kind of Relationship?
Mr.Sagee Kedem, geography and organic gardening teacher in the Democratic School of Hadera.
Group will explore human culture and nature, the gap between humanity and nature, possible solutions, possible future, and presentaton and open dialogue.

Humanistic Approach to Environmental Education
Mr.Ezra Orion, Midreshet Sde-Boker, Unit for Developing Curriculum Materials.

B. Participants present Delegation Projects
Chairperson: Ms. Isabel Abrams

C. More Global Computer Projects
Chairperson: Dr. Yehudit Barak

Shachmat - an Authentic Learning Environment
Dr. Yehudit Barak (Kaye College of Education), Ora Bar Yaakov and students from Makif Rabin High School, Beer-Sheva and Professor Malcha Gordetski (Department of Education, Ben-Gurion University).
Combination of Science, Technology and Society.

GLOBE Project
Mr. Pinhas Thau, teacher at Hadera Comprehensive High School for Arts and Science.
International meteorological project. Students at more than 100 schools across globe, collect and send meteorological data to Central Weather Bureau in United States. Students communicate with each other over Internet.

Eretz Nahalei Mayim (Land of rivers and water)
Mr. Ofer Amir, biology teacherand biotope instructor,MIGAL Project Upper Galilee
MIGAL Project Upper Galilee uses computer communications to direct students in the process of ecology research.

D. Visit Solar Energy Center

Session III

17:15-18:45

A. Delegation Project Presentations
Chairperson: Ms. Carol Park

B Delegation Project Presentations
Chairperson: Mr.Ed Radatz

C. Delegation Computer Project Presentations
Chairperson: Ms. Hannah Sivan

D. Visit Desert Museum

Session IV

15:30-17:00

A. Environmental Issues and the Media
Chairperson: Dr. Dennis Stadel

Using the Media as a Tool for Environmental Awareness
Dr. Aqel W. Abu-Qare,Specialist in Environmental Radio Information, Beer Zeit University.
Use of Newspaper and radio to raise public awareness about environmental issues.

Role of Communication in Environmental Monitoring Projects for Schools
Dr. Arjen Wals, Environmental Education Researcher,Wageningen Agricultural University, the Netherland,s President, Caretakers of the Environment. His current interest is in researching and facilitating school-based development and environmental education.

B. Environmental Agenda of the Region
Chairperson: Dr.Mohammad El-Agha

Environmental Management in the Gaza Strip
Dr.Mohammad El Agha, Director of Environment and Earth Science, Gaza University
The need for environmental legislation and collaboration with neighboring countries to deal with environmental problems such as groundwater pollution, sewage management, fertilizer pollutants, pesticides, etc.

The Griffon Vulture Project in the Negev
Dr. Ofer Bahat, Zoologist
Research sponsored by Hevrat Hashmal LeIsrael (Electrical Company of Israel).

Environmental Policy and Its Implementation at Israel Electric.
Dr. Sandor Kovacs, Senior Environmental Engineering Specialist, Environmental Department of Israel Electric.

Organic Agriculture and Education
Ms. Elisheva Kaufman, IPCRI

C. Using Computers to Explore Environmental Issues
Chairperson: Yaakov Einy

Environmental Databases and their Applications
Mr.Yakov Einy, Midreshet Sde-Boker’s Publications Director.
Mr.Avner Izher, Negev180’s Computer System Administrator.
The Negev 180 project and website as a developing knowledge base for environmental issues.

Surfing and Learning: Using the Internet for Teaching Geography
Ms.Iris Shillony-Zveili, Geography Department, Center for Educational Technology, Tel Aviv.
Two projects using the internet to teach geography in elementary and secondary school: Student build a data-base which they share with other students who take part in the project. The internet enable them to build geographic knowledge using up-to-date information and offers them the opportunity to "break down" the classroom walls and communicate with other students - in Israel and overseas. The projects aim to provide students with skills for acquiring, sorting and processing information, so they can better understand their physical and human environment. Both projects follow the geogrphy, curriculum and accompany the textbooks used by the students. All this enhances their motivatin and involvement in the subject matter and offers them a better understanding of the environmental issues both in Israel and overseas.

Kristianstad Waterworld - a Wetland Project
Mr.Lars Lundstrum, coordinator of professional development.
Presentation of work building a large site for natural studies and for preservation of wetlands in Krisianstad, Sweden.

D. Visit Ben-Gurion’s Hut at Kibbutz Sde-Boker

Day 3

Special Event:

15:30-19:00

Visit with Past Students and Teachers of the Environmental Education High School
Students and teachers from Environmental Education High School discuss the school’s unique field studies programming and its influence on their lives.

Session V

17:30-19:00

A. Importance of Community Environmental Education (nongovernment organizations)
Chairperson: Ms.Deb Dvir

Environmental Peace Education - Case Studies: The Living Weave and Common Ground
Ms.Deb Dvir, Director Living Weave: Ecology and Technology and Interdependence Youth Initiative.
The presentation will describe the history and experience of two mult-cultural environmental peace programs, The Living Weave and Common Ground. Both projects have been designed to bring students, teachers, professional and community members of Palestine and Israel together around environmental education and community action.

In Israel - My Backyard is Yours Too.
Ms.Marilyn Pratt, Local Activist (NGO) and member of "Citizens for a Clean Negev".
An overview of citizen activities attempting to lessen damages inflicted upon the local population by a hazardoudous chemical industry. The organizations are negotiating the right to know what is being produced and how it effects our health.

Conservation of the Lesser Kestrel, A Globally Threatened Species.
Mr.Menachem Adar, Israel Ornithological Center (IOS) and the Society for the Protection of Nature (SPNI).
Report on experiences with a globally threatened species, the Lesser Kestrel. A nest-box program and efforts to raise public awareness may have led to a brighter future for the species.

B. Caretakers Teacher’s Session
Chairperson: Mr.Raymond Jowett

C. Hands-On Experience with the Internet
Chairperson: Mr. David Lloyd

Kid-link Project and Using IRC
Ms.Hannah Sivan and Mr.Lars Erik Nillson

D. Visit Ben- Gurion’s Research Center
Demonstration of Computerized Archive Retrieval

Plenary Session VI

21:00-22:30

Chairperson: Prof. Berry Pinshow, Director of Mitrani Center for Ecology, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research.

"Migrating Birds Know No Boundaries"
or: "Following Migrating Birds with Satellite and Computers as an Educational, Interdisciplinary Project."
Dr. Yossi Leshem,ornithologist, researcher, wildlife spokesperson, Tel Aviv University Executive Director Society for the Protection of Nature (SPNI) and Researcher on Bird Migration.
Dr.Miri Rosenboim, Teacher at Teacher’s College in Tel Aviv (Seminar Kibbutzim Collge)Zoologist, coordinator for Migrating Bird Project (with Dr.Yossi Leshem)
Israel’s unique location, at the junction of three continents, has made it a "bottleneck" and crossroads for bird migration, second to almost no other site in the world. Research in the past decade has shown that about 500 million migrating birds fly over Israel’s narrow airspaces. Following the peace process in the Middle East, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) and Tel Aviv University initiated in 1995 the establishment of the International Center for the Study Birds Migration located at the Armored Corps Memorial in Latrun. We are developing an interdisciplinary project which will be connected to the peace process and bird migration.

Flight Safety: A network of bird and weather radars will be developed in Israel and the Middle East. Real-time information will be transferred to the air force and civil aviation of participant countries.

Research: A satelite research project funded by the German Ministry of the Environment. 53 white storks were followed till now.

Education: We developed a program in which school children are able to follow in real-time, migrating storks through the internet in a network linked to children in different schools in the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

Eco-tourism: A network of 10 bird-watching stations are now developed, including Sde-Boker, to attract students and tourists to learn more on bird migration.

Conservation: The new intensive activity will promote the migration issues in the Middle East and help to stop shooting birds and promote the protection of the habitat used by the migrating birds.

"One Step Beyond" Expedition to Antarctica
Ms. Karen Sabbag, Special Junior Envoy to UNESCO, was the Israel representative in the OSB expedition to Antarctica celebrating the 50th Anniversary
The purpose of the expedition was to emphasize the importance of involving young people in science and ecology and the environmental sciences can help people overcome differences.

Session VII

11:30-13:00

A. Are We Causing Natural Processes to Accelerate?
Chairperson: Prof. Moshe Shachak

The Effect of Humans on Ecosystem Processes
Professor Moshe Shachak, Ecologist at Blaustein Institute, desert researcher for more than 30 years.
The main effects of changes in land use on the structure and the function of ecosystems in terms of energy flow and nutrient cycling.

How Environmental Variability Constrains Environmental Education
Dr. David Ward, Ecologist and Researcher in Namibia, Africa and Desert Research Institute, Israel - Head of Ramon Science Center
In order to understand that environmental quality is declining, people need to be able to detect pattern in their environment. In highly variable environments, such as deserts, people have great difficulty differentiating signal (i.e. pattern) from noise (i.e. random variation). Educators need to show the public how such patterns in the environment can be detected.

Erosion Processes as the Main Course for the Ongoing Desertification in the Negev Highlands - Southern Israel..
Mr.Yoav Avni from Ramon Science Center
Gullies and the development of badlands topography are responsible for reducing pastoral and agricultural value in the Negev Highlands.

B. Environmental Curricula
Chairperson: Dr. Neta Orevi

A. Model for Integrating the Outdoor Learning Environment into the School Curricula
Dr. Nir Orion, Senior Researcher, Head of Earth and Environmental Education Group, Science Teaching Department of Weizmann Institute.
The field trip has been long recognized as an important teaching tool. However, the general agreement on the educational value of field trips has not been reflected in their use by schools. The purpose of this presentation is to present a practical model for planning and implementing a field trip as an integral part of the curriculu. The model was designed to help teachers overcome some of the obstacles they may encounter in the developiment of field-related activities. It addressed school system limitations, teacher needs/concerns, and factors that influence a field trip setting. The model links out-of- door activities in the field with classroom instruction. Therefore, it should be useful for teachers and educators who would like to develop field-related activities and integrate them in their curriculum.

Visions and Difficulties in Implementing Environmental Studies in Formal Education
Dr. Neta Orevi, Head of Environmental Study Dept., the Israeli Curriculum Center, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport.
Lately, the formal school system, as a part of the Israeli society as a whole, are willing to deal with environmental issues and to integrate environmental studies in their curricula. There are difficulties in implementing Environmental Studies in schools due to the lack of qualified teachers and learning materials.

SPNI Educational Concept
Ms. Emily Silverman - Society for the Protection of Nature (SPNI)

Environmental Education High School Curricula
Mr.Ezra Pimentel, teacher and regional and urban planner is the environmental study coordinator for the Environmental Education High School, a curriculum writer for the Unit for Environmental Materials Development, and teaches geography and environmental studies. Presentation of specialized programs developed at Environmental Education High School at Midreshet Sde-Boker.

C. Hands-On Training with Environmental Computer Projects
Chairperson: Dr. Miri Rosenboim

Hands-On Computer Training with Migrating Bird Project
Migrating Birds know no Boundaries
Dr.Miri Rosenboim, teacher at Teacher’s College in Tel Aviv (Seminar Kibbutzim College), zoologist and coordinator for Migrating Bird Project (with Dr.Yossi Leshem)

Internet-Based Learning
Izak Ressler (Orot College) and Rafi Gelbart (Achva College)
Presentation of discussion groups and Internet as an educational tool.

D. Visit Kibbutz Sde-Boker

E. Environmental Attitudes in Historical and Modern Literature
Orit Skutelski, Heschel Center
(Held at High School Room E)

Session VIII - Open Panel Discussions

15:30-17:00

A. Why We need both Formal and Informal Environmental Education Programs
Chairperson: Dr. Devorah Ziv, Ministry of the Environment
Dr. Nir Orion, Ms. Emily Silverman,Dr. Neta Orevi

B. Value of Using Field Workshops in Environmental Education
Chairperson: Dr. Ben-Zion Bar-Lavie - KKL
Mr.Ezra Pimentel, Mr.Zafrir Lazer, Mr.Yigal Granot

C. How will Future Internet Developments affect Environmental Education?
Chairperson:Wim Didderen (the Netherlands).
Ms. Birgitta Nordon, Ms. Renate Foks,
Mr.David Lloyd, and Ms.Hannah Sivan

D. Visit Desert Museum - Bedouin Collection

16:00-17:00

Session IX - Concluding Session
Chairperson: Dr.Shoshana Keiny and Dr. Arjen Wals

Conference Events

Day 1

Sunday 20:30-22:00

Opening Ceremony

Opening words by

Mr. Raphael Eitan
Minister of the Environment

Dr. Arjen Wals
President, Caretakers of the Environment International
Environmental Education Researcher and Lecturer, WAU
The Netherlands

Why the Desert?
Professor Uriel Safriel
Director of Blaustein Institute for Desert Research

Mr. Moshe Sharir
Director of Midreshet Sde-Boker

Mr. Bezalel Cohen
Director, "Negev97"

Mr. Gonen Reicher
Principal of Environmental Education High School

Desert Performances
Three open-air performances by students

The Timeline of Communication
directed by Eitan Peer.
by Students from Environmental Education High School

Music
by B’nai Shir(Schlomit Zaarur with Hanah Nahum)

Dances
by Dance Group of Tzin Elementary School (Shuli Davda and the Elementary School Students) choreography by Shuli Davda
The first movement expresses the vitality of life and the strong connection between humankind.

*Opening Ceremonies produced by Yehuda Honeybud

Day 2

Monday 14:00-16:30

Video-Conferencing and the Radio as Educational Tools
Zeev Miller, Eshel Hanasi School

Parade of Countries
Reuven Kopel - Master of Ceremonies: Chief Administrative Officer, Blaustein Institute for Desert Research

Day 3&5 (times to be announced)

Demonstration of Mobile Air Pollution Monitoring Lab
Havrat Hashmal (Electric Company of Israel)

Day 4

11:00-16:30

Visit with Israel Economic Forum for the Environment
(in Hebrew)
Includes tour of Blaustein Institute for Desert Research and Lecture :
Developing Arid Lands by Professor Amos Richmond

19:30 - 21:00

Bedouin Style Dinner
After dinner live music by "Between Times" ethnic music by Israeli artists

17:30-20:30

Art Festival
Tal Shmueli - Coordinator
Kite-building, arts and crafts workshops (paper-making, dye-making from clay, ceramincs and works with natural materials.) Art fair of crafts from natural materials. Also, group art project - creation of wall-sculpture under sponsorship of Israel Electric Company (made of garbage materials from electric company).

21:00-24:00

Closing Ceremony
Celebrational dinner and short closing ceremony (certificates for conference participants). Live music and dancing.
Gadi Greenblat - Organizer

Field Trips and Activities

Ein Avdat National Park
(just below Midreshet Sde-Boker)
A magnificent canyon with a small waterfall and pool. If you come around dawn or dusk, you may see ibex on their way to drink at the spring.

Desert Museum
(zoology, archaeology and Bedouin exhibits)
A fine collection of living and mounted animals (reptiles and mammals)

Desert Sculpture Museum
Environmental Sculptures of Desert Sculptor, Ezra Orion, whose sculptures can be found in outdoor settings as distant as the Himalayas.

Blaustein Institute for Desert Research
A world-renowned Desert and Desertification Research Instititute (see page for more detailed description.)

Ben-Gurion National Solar Energy Center
A research and development center for solar energy technology. Tours take visitors through solar panel field, research center and include films on the state of solar technologies.

Ben-Gurion Research Center
Just inside the campus gate, the archive and research center are dedicated to researching the life of David Ben-Gurion , Israel’s first Prime Minister and the founding of Israel

Ben-Gurion Graves, Observation Point and Heritage Center
Gravesites of Paula and David Ben-Gurion. Ben-Gurion, asked to be buried at this point which overlooks one of the most spectacular views of the country. The Heritage Center provides public education on the life and teachings of Ben-Gurion and the foundation of Israel.

Ben-Gurion Hut
Israel’s first prime minister’s modest residence at Kibbutz Sde-Boker is on display as a museum. Ben-Gurion choose to live at this kibbutz in the Negev Desert after retiring. He admired the young settlers who were pioneering life the Negev.

Kibbutz Sde-Boker
One of the pioneering settlements in the Negev in which rely on agriculture and industry. (An opportunity to view the communal lifestyle of a kibbutz community.)

Bird Watching
with ornithologist/ecologist, Shai Markman

Nocturnal Animal Observations
with biologist, Dr. Amos Buskila

Bird watching

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