Rangpur Correspondent

Environmental awareness & learning activities have gained momentum in Rangpur School by conducting educational outing in connection with the 'Know Nature: Local to Global' project under The Alumni Thematic International Exchange Seminars (Alumni TIES) program, funded by the U.S. Department of State.

The activity began in March-2023 that aims to establish a framework for learning projects between international schools in Indiana, Pennsylvania-USA, West Bengal, India and Bangladesh.

A 20 -members of 6-8 graders of Robertsongonj High School and College, Rangpur accompanied by their teachers, Ms. Firoza Khatun, Mr Azizul Islam went to visit a bird’s sanctuary at Nabdigonj area, outskirts of the city which was an extremely noisy place with a full family of birds.

The group explored the different kinds of birds and was able to capture a diverse array of birds in a relatively short time frame. The students identified distinct bird species and came to know their names.

The field trip helped the students to gather information, experience, and to learn about different species of birds, biodiversity, extinct species and what had caused their demise. This led them to look at current government policies to protect the wonderful creation and become aware that the loss could affect the environment in the present and future.

The activity has made the students enabled to develop their sense of responsibility towards the environment and love for nature.

Lizoo Nahar, the Grant winner and a US Department State Alumna said, the task is to assist secondary school teachers by providing the necessary resources to identify local environmental problems and develop projects for their students from their perspectives. The collaborative embark of the schools to implement extracurricular activities will help the students, teachers and community people to develop soft skills and knowledge on ecological issues with global implications by enhancing their environmental literacy.

A seven grader, Luban Ahamed expressed his joy and pleasure visiting the spot. It was great learning for us to join the birds’ observation activity. All these birds are so very beautiful, and it was an absolutely awesome and wonderful experience to know about them.

The field trip helps us to become familiar with different kinds of birds of our region, their colour, habit and sweet voice. We came to know the threat to the birds and wildlife. We gained many ideas and knowledge about the wonderful creation of the Almighty and their character that help to maintain the conservation of ecological balance.

A teacher, Firoza Khatun said, the project activity has created a deeper learning and sense of responsibility among the young learners towards nature. They came to know about biodiversity, conservation of ecological balance and the planet system. They have gathered ideas on human security and protecting biodiversity in the environment.

Principal of the institute, Zakir Hossain said, the aim and objective of the activity is to study and create ideas and knowledge on local and migratory birds in our region and know their diverse color, tuning, nature and food.