OUTCOMES ANTICIPATED

1. To identify community needs in Chipata compound in the following areas: energy, health, pollution, nutrition, social problems and technology
2. To link the community to what we teach through promoting sustainable thinking/behaviour
3. To design lesson plans which integrate and reflect ESD concepts based on research activity
4. To disseminate knowledge about the project and increase interest within the department and community
5. To partner with local agents to ensure continuation and sustainability of the project

PROGRESS SO FAR

1. The ESD Community of Practice in the department (CoP) held two ESD presentations for all third year students and members of staff in the department. Faculty Members in the department, especially teaching methodology and research methods, were willing to give us their slots on the timetable to address the students.
2. The interest in SD and ESD after the presentations was very high and almost every student signed up to be on the project. However, the number reduced as the actual work began. Those student-teachers that remained formed groups of four members in each group based on the four learning pathways (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology) provided in the department. Each group was (is) required to have a representation of at least two fields (e.g. mathematics and biology, chemistry and physics, biology and physics, etc.
3. The Observation method with informal interviews was conducted on November 2, 2017 by the student-teacher groups identified in 2 above. Two Focus Group Discussions for the youth and the elderly, at two different schools, were held in Chipata compound on Friday, November 3, 2017. The survey will be used to triangulate the data after the short break. This will complete outcome #1.
4. We are now analyzing the results from the Focus Group Discussions and Observations so that we design the actual action project of the department. From this action project, student teachers will transfer the skill and design theirs to use during teaching practice. Outcome #2 is underway.
5. A group of senior Biology students introduced to SD and ESD last year with Ms Choobe, is organizing a health awareness campaign to promote natural hair and skin beauty for women using a beauty pageant approach (in the same Chipata compound).

Below are pictures depicting the focus group discussions.

Focus Group – Student teachers and community respondents 1

Focus Group – Student teachers and community respondents 2