2023/9/28
On September 7, 2023, a Survey on Marine Life in Satoumi area was held in all nine elementary schools in Suzu City, specifically targeting the 3rd and 4th graders at Suzu City Takojima Elementary School. This time, the event utilized a supplementary teaching material being developed this year by the Noto GIAHS Biodiversity Working Group. The observation session was supported by various instructors, including Mr. Nomura from the Ishikawa Nature School, Mr. Kishioka and Mr. Kinoshita from Kanazawa University’s Noto Campus, Mr. Arakawa from the Noto Marine Center, and Researcher Koyama from the United Nations University.
Suzu City’s elementary schools conduct two observation sessions in spring and summer, followed by a summarizing lesson, and this was the second observation event of the year.
In the survey, we split into two groups: one group went to a farm pond, while the other group moved to a rice field after the harvest. At the rice field, the group first greeted the farmer managing the field and learned about the current situation of the rice paddies. The harvesting had already been completed, and since the field was dry, we used insect nets instead of catching nets to capture living creatures. Despite the dry appearance, which seemed to suggest there was nothing there, we were able to find many organisms. We encountered various creatures such as dragonflies, grasshoppers, and clams, as well as Japanese brown frogs, Japanese pond frogs, and tree frogs.
Back at school, we worked in groups to sort aquatic insects that the pond group had found. At first, many students were hesitant to touch the living creatures with their bare hands, but eventually, some began to move the diving beetles (ybister chinensis Motschulsky), saying they were “cute.” By the end, everyone was able to categorize all the creatures together. Mr. Nomura from the Working Group explained each of the found creatures using the handout created last year and the supplementary materials currently in development for this year.
The supplementary materials provide explanations through accessible illustrations of the creatures shown underneath, highlighting the kinds of environments these creatures inhabit and what their presence signifies. It was impressive to see the students actively engaged and interested in reading the materials.
In Suzu City, all elementary school students in grades 3 and 4 participate in an experiential program that allows them to learn about the creatures living in the environments where the rice they usually eat is grown. This program encourages them to think about local ecosystems and biodiversity. Each year, students have the opportunity to present their findings at a learning showcase, which also promotes the sharing of practical examples among schools.
The Working Group is committed to ensuring that the newly developed materials are increasingly utilized in existing educational programs. They are gathering feedback from instructors and teachers to facilitate improvements and further development.
