MARVELOUS MANGROVE CURRICULUM
Bangladesh needs a new, conscious, and responsible generation to conserve and restore the ecology of the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest. To build that generation through the integration of mangrove-based environmental education, we took the initiative of implementing the Marvelous Mangroves Curriculum (MMC) in Bangladesh, which is already practiced and appreciated in different countries worldwide.
MMC was implemented from 2013 to 2015 among 2,349 students and 110 teachers of 10 schools situated in the surrounding areas of the Sundarbans, in association with the Mangrove Action Project (MAP), Mangroves & Reefs Education Association (currently known as Mangrove Education), and with support from the Singing Field Foundation and Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.
EXPLORE MANGROVE ACTION PROJECT (MAP) PHOTOS
Marvelous Mangrove Curriculum (MMC) was formulated with the active participation of experts, schoolteachers, artists, students, environmental activists and volunteers. After several rounds of drafting and editing, a group of educationalists finalized the curriculum.
Please see the Process Documents of Marvelous Mangroves in Bangladesh.
WORKSHOP ON MARVELLOUS MANGROVES CURRICULUM IN BANGLADESH
We trained the schoolteachers and advanced-level students to use the curriculum effectively. To support the implementation process, we provided schools with science books, microscopes, lenses, and other scientific equipment so that the students could use them without fear of damage.
Please see the 2014 Workshop Report here and the 2015 Workshop Report here.
MARVELLOUS MANGROVES CLUB CONCEPTS IN BANGLADESH
The students and teachers also visited the Sundarbans mangrove forest several times to gain hands-on knowledge on the role of mangroves in ecology, climate change, disaster reduction, food cycle, and water cycle in Bangladesh's coastal zone. As part of their environmental activism, they participated in cleaning forest floors and sea beaches. The students also conducted studies on waste pollution in the Sundarbans.
The graduated students formed Mangrove Clubs in their schools; some schools are still using MMC for extra-curricular activities. Please see the concept of Mangrove Clubs here.