Using Education to Hook them in. A review of fisheries and angling based education programmes. Paul Coulson MIFM Institute of Fisheries Management
Overview The importance of being outside Projects to engage school children Case studies FE and HE Educating adults IFM Courses Other opportunities
The everyday miracles that abound in the natural world offer us that window into a parallel universe, a portal from the day to pressures of modern life into the pure mystery of the real natural world that sustains us every moment Mark Everard. The Little Book of Little Fishes (2008)
For a new generation, nature is more abstraction than reality. Increasingly, nature is something to watch, to consume, to wear to ignore. Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods (2005)
The Birds and the Bees and Daleks?
Nature Deficit Disorder Nature Deficit Disorder describes the human costs of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses. Not a medical condition! Simply a lack of a relationship with the outside world
Future Fisheries Bod?????
Natural Childhood Report National Trust (2009) Children learn more and behave better when lessons are conducted outdoors Symptoms of children diagnosed with ADHD improve when they are exposed to nature Children say their happiness depends more on having things to do outdoors more than owning technology. Improved ability to learn
Further Benefits Mental and physical health benefits Enhance self-esteem and self-confidence Improved eyesight Reduced obesity Provide opportunities for spiritual development.
How are we Improving Connectivity to the Environment?
Sticklebacks in Schools One of the first projects to use fish in the classroom Developed by the EA and Leicester Uni Run with schools in Sheffield
Trout in Tanks Very popular project run up and down the country Links to a number of subjects Promotes positive attitudes towards conservation Great project for urban schools
Mayflies in the Classroom Wild Trout Trust flagship education programme Numerous links to the curriculum and covers a wide range of subjects Pupils actively encouraged to collect samples from local streams Quick project that can be completed in 3 weeks Minimal kit needed
Spawn to be Wild Sponsored by Bristol Water Supported by: SEG Avon WT Bridgwater College Educational programme built around the eels lifecycle and habitats
Clyde in the Classroom Since 2001, the project has involved: 18,965 pupils from 325 different Primary Schools located within the River Clyde Catchment. 64% of all the Primary Schools located within the River Clyde Catchment. 17% of all Primary Schools in Scotland.
Cast North West Project Education project delivered to 116 pupils in the Preston area Initially developed to help young children who had committed petty crime. Bespoke education package that has a therapeutic element Wrote their own L1 course verified by Open Awards Expanded to include aquaculture and horticulture Moving into farming in 2016
Cubs, Scouts and Brownies
Further Education Only 7 colleges offering fisheries at L2-L3 Fishery courses generally expensive to set up Student numbers down across the country Funding put into more popular courses Lack of progression opportunities for graduates
Higher Education Distinct lack of pure fisheries courses at undergraduate level UCAS search fisheries = 7 options Freshwater Biology = 4 options Marine Biology = 20+ options Interested students integrated on to other similar courses Lack of practical/applied skills on completion of course
Educating Adults and Anglers
IFM Courses Certificate One year course assessed purely by exam Set at L3 7 units offered with 6 needed to achieve the award Appeals to a wide range of people Dedicated course manager
IFM Courses Diploma Course Two year course Multiple assessments. Assignment, exam, presentations, posters, project Set at L4 Most students engaged in fisheries work already 30+ active students at present Dedicated course manager
EA Training Programme A bespoke training package Technical skills required to understand the management of coarse and trout fisheries and the angling they support 5 specialist units concentrating on stillwater fisheries 1. Stillwater Fisheries 2. Predator Impacts and Management 3. Fish Stocks and Stock Management 4. Fisheries Legislation 5. Water Quality Potential to deliver to other fisheries groups in the future
References Everard, M. (2008) The Little Book of Little Fishes. Medlar Press, Shropshire. Louv, R. (2005) Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, Algonquin Books, Chapel Hill. Natural England (2009) Childhood and Nature: a survey on changing relationships with nature across generations. www.naturalengland.org.uk/images/childhood%20 and%20nature%20survey_tcm6-10515.pdf National Trust (2008) Wildlife alien to indoor children. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/what-we-do/news/archive/viewpage/item737221/ National Trust (2009). Natural Childhoood. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/document-1355766991839/
Thank You.