BRAZIL

(MissionNewswire) Students in grades 7-8 at the Nossa Senhora da Glória Institute in Brazil are learning about the environment through clean-up efforts and a walk held at Praia dos Cavaleiros in Macaé. The event enabled youth to connect theory and practice in environmental education while contributing to an environment research project.

The walk was developed by science, geography and physical education teachers to help students reflect on the importance of environmental preservation. During the walk, students were able to learn more about the importance of preservation and the impacts of construction on the coast. Students also learned about the correct disposal of solid waste.

The walk also featured a clean-up effort in partnership with the Maré Consciência Project, an initiative of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro that develops research and actions aimed at reducing waste in the oceans.

William Guimarães de Lima, a biological sciences undergraduate student at the Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability and one of those responsible for the Maré Consciência Project, explained the work done with the students. He said, “They did this clean-up effort, and the results of the collection will contribute to the collection of data for our scientific research, which will later be part of comparative analyses with other research of the same nature, developed in Europe, North America and Asia. In this way, the data that the students are collecting will make up something much bigger.”

“They had the opportunity to take part in important environmental education and were able to see how this care can be effective and strengthened in everyday life,” explained Priscilia Sousa, pedagogical coordinator. “This connection with the scientific work gave the teenagers a new perspective on the role of science in caring for the environment.”

Sophia Marotta, a 7th grade student, said, “It is great to know that we are helping a research project and that this can change the world.”

Students will continue to follow the Maré Consciência Project research until it is published. The data will be presented and teachers will explain its relevance, comparing the results with previous years. The research will broaden the students; scientific perspective.

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Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Green Alliance

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