Discovering the universe to stimulate the kids of the Island.
What´s the
Philippines is the 18th top country of the world in terms of biodiversity and Camiguin is one of the more important bio diversity centers of the country. According to Lawrence R. Haney, from the Field Musseum of Chicago, The Mt Timpong and Mt Hibok-Hibok ASEAN Heritage Park in Camiguin represents “one of the smallest but most distinctive centers of biodiversity in the Philippines and should be a priority site for conservation”. There is, therefore, a need to increase awareness on local population on preserving the unique ecosystem they live in. While climate is changing in Camiguin water level is increasing and natural disasters happen more often. We believe that local students need to understand this correlation as well as how crucial is to preserve their environment.
What´s the
In kilaha we use Astronomy as a tool to stimulate and eco-educate children of Camiguin. On the one hand, we delivered Nightscape observation session in all the schools of the island. Session sequence goes from Universe, Milky Way, Solar System and Planet Earth to Climate Change causes and effects in The Philippines. The session ends up describing the unique biodiversity living in Camiguin and how it represents a hope in order to heal planet earth. The nature of this learning experience, based on an alternative cognitive stimulation (from lectures on astronomy through interactive I Pad applications, screen projections, videos/documentaries as well as telescope observations and games) has shown to be very effective.
The school sessions have been possible thanks to the support of CCD of Polytechnic University of Cataluña, Professor David Pino and Department of Education of Camiguin.
On the other, and in coordination with local authorities of the island, we built a nightscape observation park on the top of HibokHibok Volcano with all the necessary facilities (session center, snacks facilities, toilets, camp site). Visitors could appreciate the beauty of Camiguin nightscape and travel in the universe. We phased out this activity to the Tourist Office of Camiguin in 2016.
In coordination with the Department of Education we develop a memorandum of understanding for more than 6.000 students focused in: 1. Understanding the balance of our natural environment, 2. Climate change and adaptation to climate change and 3. Natural disaster Risk Prevention
Kilaha will manage the first year; to assure the project is develop under the eco-tourism framework; while generating direct incomes for the inhabitants of the area respecting their activities, traditions and values. Afterwards, the project will be handover to local government units.
We want to create the most important star gazing project and nightscape park in the Philippines. We want to make the project and its venue a successful touristic attraction in terms of daily visitors, economic feasibility and local and national recognition.
We generate an unique and effective eco-educational program on the island to increase eco-conservation awareness between the local students of Camiguin and, at the same time, a new eco-tourism destination for the island; creating direct incomes to the provincial government and for the locals living around the venue.
Through our school sessions we reached 8 thousand kids who got a unique experience and interaction with the universe. As well, the pupils were able to get to know current climate change events in planet earth in the Philippine archipelago, as well as to appreciate their environment. The evaluation implemented in 2016 (test before and after the session) showed, for instance, only 38% of the students thought before the session that Planet Earth was “unwell” now days (Climate Change and Global Warming). However, after the session, the trend reversed and reached up to 70%. On the other hand, 86% of the students’ graded excellent the sessions and the presentations skills of the lectures. In 2017-18, with the support of Department of Education, nightscapes observations are delivered again in the schools.
In the observation park on the volcano, so far, 1 thousand visitors (local adults and tourist) have enjoyed the beauty of the nightscape on the volcano.
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