REPORT OF INTERACTIVE BRAINSTROMING SESSION ON KIDS SECTION

 ENVIS CENTER ON HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

Department of Environmental Planning

 School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi

 REPORT OF INTERACTIVE BRAINSTROMING SESSION ON KIDS SECTION: 22^nd September 2014.

A brainstorming session was conducted on 22^nd September 2014 by ENVIS Centre on Human Settlements, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. The main focus of the session was to setup a mechanism of feedback and suggestions from school teachers and children for efficient interaction with Kids Centre of ENVIS website, in context to updation and dissemination of environmental information, in the field of Human Settlements.

 The session started with welcome address by ENVIS Co-ordinator,  followed with the Key Note Address a by Dr. B. C. Sabat, Eco-Club Incharge, Department of Environment, NCT, Delhi. He gave an overview about the involvement of schools in various environment related interactive activities like plantation, anti-craker campaign, eco- holi, poster competition etc. He suggested to link schools with the website so as to have an interactive work atmosphere and to take forward cumulative results.

ENVIS Coordinator, Prof. Dr. Meenakshi Dhote thanked Dr. Sabat for his suggestions and his directions in involving the eco-club schools. This was followed by a comprehensive overview of ENVIS website in the realm of subject area, city profile, publications, legislations & policies, kids centre, news etc was given; highlighting the knowledge products. Aspects covered under the Kids Section were presented one by one and a booklet of the same was provided to the participants- Games (crossword, quiz, match the columns etc.); building of the month; information on aspects of buildings; important buildings etc.

In view of the growing problem of parking and traffic management in front of schools, especially during mornings and afternoons; the faculty of Transport planning Department, SPA had expressed a desire to initiate traffic surveys coupled with ambient air quality monitoring near the school premises, to capture the factual situation and to take it forward in the form of a proposal for improvement of the conditions.  This was appreciated by all. It was suggested that the discussions should be initiated with the school Principals and involvement of both – the Eco-Club and Transport Department of the School would be required.

Professors form SPA, a Senior Programme Officer from WWF, eight teachers from different schools and two students from DAV Public School, Dwarka took part in the session, which put forth the  following suggestions for the Website Contents in relation to Kids Section:

 SUGGESTIONS ON INTERACTIVE CONTENTS

• Interaction among the schools

Website can provide a platform for inter school participation disseminating information related in subject areas like showcasing green practices/activities in schools, competitions etc.

•  Provide answers to  queries in solving the problems

Aspects related to Rainwater Harvesting, Vermi Compositing, Solar Panel etc. installed in schools.

•  Medium for information of species in and around school premises

Forming a guide for species identification

• Website should highlight the various upcoming events

 Joint activities of the schools etc.

• Continuation with CII and its Green School Manual

SPA can contribute by initiating the   installation of green technologies in schools.

• Provide  monthly wise new and innovative project ideas for schools.
• Students active participation in website by sending their perception, views, and ideas related to Environment and Human Settlement through articles, stories etc.
• Practical involvement of students in various aspects of Green Buildings. Initiating direct interaction between the students and the architects.
• Newsletter column space for student write-up.

 SUGGESTIONS ON INFORMATIVE CONTENTS

• The content of the website should also incorporate the local architectural designs and use of local building materials.
•  Surveys and studies of urban village schools, rural school conditions in architectural research and information related to them. The works of WWF in schools in villages around Protected Areas could be put forth.
• Information on research outputs of behavioral and psychological impacts on children of built environment of the school
• ENVIS Centre in harmony with NGO’s like Roshini can formulate a set criterion; conduct a workshop for implementing energy saving practices in schools.
• Sensitization of students towards cool roof, flooding, impact of concrete flooring/ pavement, indoor environment, GPS tool (curriculum developed by WWF in relation to same) etc.
• Environmental slogans to sensitize the masses through ENVIS website.

The session concluded by summing up of suggestions and feedbacks given by all the participants. A certificate of participation of the event will be sent to the respective schools by post.

Details of the Participants: