BBP in Brief, Issue 3, October 2004

Initiative for Enhancing Education about Marine Conservation in The Bahamas
Meg Domroese and Christine Engels (AMNH-CBC)

The Bahamas Ministry of Education and the American Museum of Natural History's Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, together with other interested organizations, held a meeting on 26 October 2004 at the Bahamas National Trust Retreat in Nassau to discuss methods for teach-ing about The Bahamas' marine environment. Discussion centered on needs and opportunities to highlight this important theme in Bahamian schools. The meeting was facilitated by Meg Domroese and Christine Engels, outreach staff of the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation.

Participants included educators and curriculum developers, Ministry of Education science officers, as well as representatives from the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF); the Bahamas National Trust; the Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology (BEST) Commission; and The Nature Conservancy. Portia Sweeting of Yellow Elder Primary School pointed out that the teachers in attendance collectively represented more than 94 years of teaching experience.

“There is not enough teaching using active learning, which is necessary for mastering critical thinking skills, in Bahamian schools,” commented Ms. Beverly J.T. Taylor, Assistant Director of Education, Science and Technology Section, The Bahamas Ministry of Education. All of the educators present agreed that active teaching methods – those that get students to learn by doing – are the most effective for student learning. The meeting laid the groundwork for a collaborative initiative to develop active teaching methods and materials to involve Bahamian students in stewardship of the marine environment. The Center for Biodiversity and Conservation's extensive experience in promoting active learning to engage the public at all levels—from primary school to university, and from the grassroots to policymakers—is informing and enhancing the effort.

Interested persons should contact Ms. Beverly J.T. Taylor at: (242) 502-2901 or or the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024 USA; (212) 769-5742; fax (212) 769-5292; biodiversity@amnh.org; http://cbc.amnh.org/