Environmental projects are strengthened in Montessori public schools

Since 2018, the Instituto Nueva Escuela (INE) has developed projects in collaboration with Para La Naturaleza, which provide living experiences with nature. The purpose of these projects is the development of citizens who know their surroundings and the environment, who establish a healthy relationship with it and take care of it. Every year we see how more students are interested in caring for nature and healthy coexistence with it. This year the group of guides and interpreters gives the project a new name: Enraizando.

In the closing meeting of the project in the month of June, the guides decided on this name that invites the communities and students to take root in the projects and their teachings.

Rooted comes from the verb to root, extend its roots, accommodate. For the project it also symbolizes the stage of growth in which it is. As for the boys and girls, who have already had years working in these spaces and it is time to see them put down roots, getting used to these spaces at school and in their community after the return due to the pandemic.

"This year we hope to strengthen existing projects by focusing on: the maintenance and establishment of structures, the direct support of specialists in environmental and agroecological issues, and the training of liaison guides," shared Johanna Colón, INE project coordinator.

Enraizando seeks this year to continue the environmental projects developed in the 20 Montessori public schools by the hand of the PLN interpreters, but this year also integrates the accompaniment of specialists in environmental and agroecological issues close to the school community. In addition to continuing to offer these experiences to the 341 participating students, field trips to different PLN spaces will be offered.

This year we began with the publication and dissemination of the Environmental Manual, which is used to develop the curriculum for the guides. This Manual was the product of months of work between INE staff and experts in the field, Maria del Carmen Rosado Ramos, Josue R. Díaz Coss and Joel A. Mercado Díaz.

Environmental Manual

The Manual Iniciativas ambientales para comunidades escolares sostenibles consists of 6 sections that illustrate the different activities and projects that are being carried out in the 20 schools: nurseries, butterfly farms, tree planting, among others. This manual offers ideas to guides from other schools who, in turn, can develop projects that lead to greater environmental awareness in students, and the development of love for nature that requires its care.

Some of the topics found in the manual are: sustainable development, climate change, organic waste management, compost, nurseries, sustainable agriculture, school garden, among others. The manual has real images, exercises, experiments, story suggestions and videos that complement the information.

On Friday, September 1, 13 workshop participants presented the Manual to guides from 15 schools and offered live activities that teachers can then share with their students. Some schools where he was presented were Concepcion Perez Hernandez in Ciales, Delia Davila from Cabán Toa Baja, Elemental Urbana from Guaynabo, Guillermo Reifkhol in Patillas, Luis Llorens San Juan, Jesus T. Piñeiro in Caguas, Inocencio Cintron Zayas in Barranquitas, among others.

One of the themes of the century is global warming and its relationship with human behavior. This manual provides information and experiences that help guides to work on these issues in a deep and accessible way. In line with the mission of the Montessori public schools, the manual contributes to the development of citizens who are aware of the impact that their conduct and habits have on the environment and nature. It invites them to take action based on science.

This Manual will be available on INE's website, for all schools in the country that are interested in having it.