Students highlight state of the environment

Over 140 children from nine schools have been involved in a project combining media education and the State of the Environment Report.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority said the children were given the original version of the report together with a more diluted version. Under the guidance of their teachers, the students chose a subject to work on in more detail. Mepa requested media operators and newspapers to collaborate in the project.

Two schools chose television: Mater Boni Consiglii School, St Joseph, Paola and St Bernardette, San Gwann Primary. These schools were linked to Super One Television and Net Television. The students wrote a one-minute advert on the environment based on the subject they chose.

Together with journalists Amanda Ciappara and Claudette Baldacchino, they chose the visuals and edited and produced the final advert assisted by Sergio Pisani and Mark Doneo.

Children from St Monica School also worked on the audio-visual aspect through television.

Another school, Patri Mattew Sultana of Xaghra, chose radio. In collaboration with RTK and through the guidance of Tonio Bonello and Sonia Young, the students compiled and recorded an advert and a programme. This was done with the technical input of Ewgenio Baldacchino.

The recorded programme, an initiative of the station and discussing L-Annimali U L-Ambjent (animals and the environment) will be aired next Wednesday on RTK.

Two English-language newspapers helped St Joseph School Blata l-Bajda and Antonio Sciortino Primary B Zebbug. The Times, through their correspondent Nicky Rosser, helped the students of St Joseph School formulate the pages for Junior News which is published by The Times as a supplement on Wednesdays.

The students from Antonio Sciortino School worked with the correspondent of The Malta Independent Frances Camilleri to bring up the next edition of Crackers, which is also a special supplement for children.

Two other media were used by three schools to convey their interpretation of the environment report. Dun Alwig Camilleri, Zejtun, and Leli Camilleri, Zurrieq Primary A and Mqabba Primary C chose websites and the performing arts. The Zejtun school worked on compiling a webpage on their website http://schoolnet.gov.mt/zejtunb/land_ use.html They used this medium to express their views combining the visual and the digital aspect to enhance the message. The other two schools used drama and singing to promote cleaner air and safeguarding the landscape.

The project was originated and coordinated by Mepa with the cooperation of Ekoskola, Nature Trust and the Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment.