wetlands
a publication of Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Vol 10 No 3
VIP Guests
Community Involvement Programme by Jurong West Secondary School

Photographing Nature Workshop forCommonwealth Secondary School

Experiencing Life in the Mangroves with the Canadian International School (Singapore)

Doing what they do best for a good cause: Hillgrove Secondary School

Volunteers Conduct Heron Counts at Sungei Buloh

13th International Coastal Cleanup

Wild Boar Sightings

An ASEAN Experience: Conference on ASEAN Heritage Parks

Volunteer Outing to Pulau Kukup and Yong Peng Heronry

Young Hearts for Nature: Young Naturalist Passport Camp 		 
Experiencing Life
in the Mangroves
the Best Way to Learn
Cheryl Babin
Open Minds Programme Coordinator Canadian International School (Singapore)

The students at the Canadian International School (Singapore) have become skilled observers with heartfelt appreciation of the environment after spending an entire week experiencing the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

We all need time when learning to really experience new things and look closely at details before we can achieve a true level of understanding. This is just what CIS teachers and students did during their week at Sungei Buloh. Through the Canadian School’s Open Minds Programme, teachers and conservation officers from SBWR teamed together to create an educational and memorable week-long experience for middle school students.
Experts of SBWR shared their time and knowledge with students in many ways.

During the Wader Census, students learned how count, identify and observe the birds. Using journals, students recorded their questions, observations and took the time to draw what they saw.

In addition to counting the waders, students had the chance to observe these special birds as they were being tagged for the purpose of tracking bird migration patterns along the East Asian Australasian Flyway. An up-close look at measuring and weighing the birds demonstrated important details that helped to enlighten the students.

Conservation officer, Jeremy Ang, shared information about the conservation efforts preservation of SBWR. Local artist and SBWR volunteer, Pui San, also worked with the students to see the mangrove ecosystem through the eyes of an artist. Students spent time painting, drawing and interpreting the beauty and wonder of this national jewel.

Canadian School teachers led students through a variety of activities that tied SBWR into the different subject areas of curriculum. Microscopes and magnifying glasses were used to view pond water samples, poetry, journal entries and other forms of writing were created and students had ample time to discuss their thoughts, ideas and questions with their peers, teachers and parents. Back at school, math concepts were used to analyse and graph data that was collected during the week.

During the last day at SBWR, students and teachers took part in a coastal clean-up project which gave them a most valuable chance to take action and make a difference in helping the environment. They were not afraid to get a little dirty, and their efforts paid off! It was amazing to see how much garbage could be collected in a very short amount of time.

After a week of observation, journal writing and talking to the experts at Sungei Buloh, students have developed new understandings, formed deeper questions and more value for this unique wetland environment. Special thanks go out to the caring staff at Sungei Buloh who made these learning experiences possible for our students.
   
© Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve