Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2018

Presentation information

[JJ] Poster

O (Public) » Public

[O-06] The connection between earth sciences and society by Geoparks -Results and issues in the past decade-

Sun. May 20, 2018 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM Poster Hall (International Exhibition Hall7, Makuhari Messe)

convener:Noritaka Matsubara(Graduate School of Regional Resource Management, University of Hyogo), Yayoi ICHIHASHI(Sado City Board of Education), Hokuto Obara(Mine秋吉台ジオパーク推進協議会, 共同), Marekazu Ohno(Unzen Volcanic Area Geopark Promotion Office)

[O06-P21] Assessment and result of our Geopark education for school.

*Tsuyoshi Hibino1, YOKO TOMITA1, Ryoichi Onishi1 (1.Hakusan Tedorigawa Geopark Promotion Council)

Keywords:Education, Hakusan Tetoragawa Geopark, Survey, ESD, Assessment of activities

Education plays one of the most significant roles in Geopark activities. While the population declines and the aging of society are factors hindering the sustainable development of the region in the future, we think that our education program can help children who would lead the next generation of the region; to be proud of where they live and linking the history, industry, culture and the nature of the area is useful for their identity formation.
One of our aims in forming such consciousness and increasing the number of children interested in traditional culture and industry is for the young generation or those who once left their region to choose to stay in the area in the future.
One of our main educational programs are geo excursions for elementary to junior high school students in the city. We have been collaborating with schools and since 2011 and conducting more than 20 excursions a year.
After 5 years of this program, we conducted a survey of all the junior high school students in the city last year in order to assess changes in their awareness after being educated. Students have not only gained their awareness about Hakusan Tedorigawa Geopark as a location with beautiful nature and rich history, but many students indicated they now have comprehensive understanding.
Although this survey did not lead us to see a precise understanding level of each student, it did indicate that knowledge was correlated with the frequency of Geopark learning programs in each school.
In the future, we also believe that it is important to have an accurate grasp of the situation using various methods such as this survey to advance and modify the education programs with long term view and anticipate of the future needs of the local community.