Teacher visits Belarus
Posted on Friday 10 September 2010
College teacher Mike Burke becomes a hero for the planet on an Earthwatch expedition
Mike Burke of Guildford had the exciting opportunity to experience cutting-edge environmental research work on an expedition to Belarus this summer.
Earlier this year, Earthwatch, the international environmental charity, invited UK-based secondary level teachers of geography, science and citizenship to apply to join its expedition, Belarus Wetlands, from 2-11 August 2010.
Mike was one of eight successful applicants who helped Earthwatch scientists to find effective ways of conserving the unique wetlands of Belarus, hiking to sampling sites to collect data which will help the scientists to select wetlands which are in need of protection.
Wetlands in Belarus make up 14 per cent of the country. Particularly threatened and little-studied are the oligotrophic (low nutrient) or ‘raised’ bogs which are the focus of the Belarus Wetlands research project. Bogs are extremely important as they improve the gas composition of the atmosphere, carry out climate regulation, and regulate water flows on the surface and within the soil.
Experienced facilitators helped Mike and the other teachers to link the research and their experiences on the project to the curriculum. The teachers worked together to devise educational resources for use in the classroom, and these resources will be made available for others to use.
Mike, Subject Leader for Environmental Studies at The Sixth Form College, Farnborough says: “The experience was absolutely unforgettable and the people of Belarus were so welcoming. I am looking forward to telling my students and colleagues all about the trip.”
The 2010 Earthwatch educator expedition to Belarus was kindly supported by ICAP and the Garfield Weston Foundation. The placement included a fully-funded place on the Belarus Wetlands project, including all food, accommodation and insurance during the expedition. When Mike returned from the project, he was eligible for a grant to help initiate an environmental initiative within his college or community.
To find out how you can join an Earthwatch expedition, call +44 (0)1865 318831 or visit www.earthwatch.org/europe.
