SEED of CHANGE

This is an exhibition created by SGI and the Earth Charter Initiative and first shown at WSSD (the World Summit on Sustainable Development) held in Johannesburg, South Africa, 2002.



Sixteen colorful panels give an introduction to sustainable development, the role of education and the Earth Charter as a set of values and principles for a sustainable living. Shown in 17 countries by 2006 and available in English, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish and Arabic language versions.


The "Seeds of Change" exhibition is often held by local SGI groups in cooperation with other NGOs, schools or community groups.

Mayflower Secondary was honoured to be able to bring this exhibition to our school as part of the activity for Humanities Week 2010.


The students have time to discuses issues like sustainable development, deforestation and climate change.






A group of students collected reflection from other students after they have visited the exhibition.






Students writing down their reflection about their views on how they can help to save the earth

The Youth Environmental Guardians (YEG) has established a good partnership with Cicada Tree Eco Place (CTEP), an NGO since 2008. For more information about this exciting NGO please go to their website http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/


















The YEGs were at the Environmental Education Advisor (EEA) Networking Session at Nanyang Girl's High School organized by the NEA on 6th February 2010 to promote the Shoo Mozzie which was developed by CTEPand produced by Mayflower Secondary School.





Our Sec 1 YEGs from 1E posing for the camera
























The Guest of Honour was Mr Tan Wee Hock,Director 3P Network Division, National Environment Agency.





Yes the Shoo Mozzie really work.













YEGs sharing with the teachers about their work in saving the environment.


























The YEG also spoke about Chek Jewa and shared their concern about protection it as a nature park.

There's a place in the sun where there's room for everyone...

Where is this place?

Can it be found in Singapore?

How do I go there?

A group of Mayflower Secondary School students visited this place last year.

Do visit this website to see what they were up to.
http://sites.google.com/a/mayflowersec.edu.sg/mayflower-chek-jawa/it-s-a-mangrove-world/mangroves-at-chek-jawa


Meanwhile, another group discovered this beautiful place last Saturday.
For more information about their trip please go to this website
http://sites.google.com/a/mayflowersec.edu.sg/mayflower-sungeibuloh/home

If you like a walk in the park or find a place in the sun,you may like to check out the following two Living Earth Walks organized by Cicada Tree Eco Place.

LIVING EARTH WALKS

Chek Jawa Intertidal Walk

On days when the tide recedes to 0.5m and below for at least two hours, the intertidal flats are revealed. The fascinating animals that can be seen close up include sea stars, sea cucumbers, sand dollars, octopuses, anemones, corals, crabs and many more. Besides these, the beauty of Chek Jawa is that there are six different ecosystems in that small area. Come and discover and learn more about the diverse array of animals that inhabit these unique habitats with Uncle Joe and National Parks Board guides.

(We have booked this limited guided tour conducted by National Parks Board and there will be extra charges for this walk.)

Date:

Monday, 29 March 2010, 3.00 pm

DURATION: 3 hrs.

Trails: Wooden boardwalk. Earth paths, some parts with gentle slopes. Sandbar. Footwear that cover the entire feet are recommended.

Walk fee: $25 per person (adult or child), minimum 6 years of age, excluding the bumboat ride and mini-bus ride to Chek Jawa. The bumboat ride is $2.50 per person one way. The mini-bus ride is $4 return per person to and from the main village. Minimum 15 pax for walk to go ahead.

LIVING EARTH WALKS

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

This wetland reserve is now a resting and feeding spot for migratory birds. But it also hosts a fantastic diversity of native fauna and flora. In the past, the area had several kampongs (villages) with the locals tending to vegetable and fruit tree plots. Many of these fruit trees and traditional herbs still survive and may be encountered along the trails. The people also constructed fish and prawn ponds in the mangroves. These are now used by the birds.

Date:

Monday, 15 March 2010, 4.00 pm

DURATION: 2 hrs.

Trails: Level dirt paths and boardwalks suitable for children, the elderly, disabled or participants using wheelchairs.

Walk fee: $13 per person (adult or child), excluding park entrance fees.

Minimum 20 pax for walk to go ahead. Minimum age of 6 years.

Park entrance fee is $1.00 for adults, 50 cents for children.

Advance registration & payment is required.

Registration:

Email Celine Low at contact@cicadatree.org.sg

For more information on Living Earth Walks, please visit our website: www.cicadatree.org.sg

Asia Humanitarian Forum

On Friday and Saturday, 15-16 Jan 2010, a group of YEGs participated in the Asia Humanitarian Forum(AHF) held at the National Library. "Organised as a public educational platform to promote humanitarian and environmental causes to the masses" (www. asiahumanitarianforum.org), the YEGs were very excited to be part of this inaugural AHF which featured film screenings, green activities, talks and exhibitions by many organisations and NGOs.

As summised by the organiser of this event, "

Many in the world are apathetic and dispassioned about humanitarian and environmental needs beyond their comfort zones. The AHF hopes to fill this social gap. Through talks, workshops, and exhibitions, it aims to reach out to the masses with the urgent message that we are all called to be stewards of Planet Earth and that we need to look out for and attend to fellow world citizens who are suffering from conflict and living in poverty, without social justice, and with little or no access to medical aid. "

For more information, do visit their website at http://www.asiahumanitarianforum.org/

The YEGs also collaborated with Cicada Tree Ecoplace and proudly displayed two photo exhibitions! The first was to share with visitors eco-living and how everyone can practise "green habits" right at their own home!

The second, was to educate the public of the beauty of Chek Jawa by introducing its rich ecology and habitat. They were inspired by Mr Joseph Lai, a member of Cicada Tree Ecoplace who shared this knowledge with them during their fieldtrip to Chek Jawa last year. The YEGs also took great pains to highlight the on-going tussle between the rising call to defend this special wetland and the pressing need of land for development to contain Singapore's rapidly increasing population.

The seniors also patiently coached and practised oral communication skills with their juniors, giving them immense courage to approach members of the public with copies of the "Chek Jawa Chronicles" (painstakingly written by pure geography students) and bottles of Shoo Mozzie.

They creatively transformed themselves into "walking advertisements!"

New members of the Youth Environmental Guardians. They are young, excited and full of spirit.

They confidently approached members of the public and gamely shared the "Chek Jawa Chronicles" with them.




For more information about Chek Jewa please go to this website
http://sites.google.com/a/mayflowersec.edu.sg/mayflower-chek-jawa/
A soft copy of the "Chek Jawa Chronicles" is also downloadable from the website.

For more information about Cicada Tree Eco Palce please go to this website
http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/

The YEGs will also like to specially thank Auntie Sylvian for accompanying them to the National Library as well as giving them tips on how best they can decorate the booth! Thank you Auntie Sylvian!

NEA Community Day

The National Environment Agency (NEA) stepped up its community engagement efforts by opening its premises to the public for the first time at its inaugural NEA Community Day on the 9th and 10th of January. 2010









This year, the NEA’s Community Day was hosted at the agency’s North East Regional Office (NERO) on 9 and 10 January, making it the first time an NEA regional office is opened to the public.






















Through interesting exhibits, displays and interactions with NEA officers, members of the public received a first-hand briefing on the various activities undertaken by NEA and how they can help NEA sustain Singapore’s clean and green environment.




















The YEGs were there to give a helping hand.





















Loic, one of our YEG speaking to the public.

YEG Orchard Garden

It has been an eventful year for the YEGs. Aftre selling the Shoo Mozzie at various events in 2009, they have managed to raise enough funds to plants beautiful orchards around Mayflower Secondary School.




The YEG first identified areas around the school where orchards can be planted.

One area was near the classroom block.

Another area was outside the school.

The YEG is so happy that more students can now enjoy the beauty of orchards.


The YEG is grateful to Mr Han our Operation Manager for helping to source for areas to plant the orchards and Ms Faridah for working so hard to select the orchards.

The YEGs were at the Central Singapore Clean and Green Carnival 2009 on Saturday 5th Dec 2009 at City Square Mall.


They were there to teach the public on how to make natural mosquito repellents.


We first explained that lemon grass, which is a common herb that can be found in our kitchen, is an effective and safe natural mosquito repellent.



This is how it is created.



First you have to kill all the germs on your hand with the germs killer.

Do the same with the container that will be used to hold the insect repellent.



Next combined the essential oil (two drops of lemon grass and four drops of Citronellan oil) with 180 mg of goat milk cream. And there you have it.




Safe and simple with no preservatives or DEET (which is a common ingredient that is found in many commercial mosquito insect repellent)

The YEG had the opportunity to share with our Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Wong Kan Sing and the Mayor for Central Singapore DistrictZainudin Nordin about our product.






It was an enjoyable experience and an enriching exercise to spend the weekend at the Clean and Green Carnival.



PS.
Alina, one of our pioneer YEG being featured in one of the exhibition booth.


She has just completed her A level. Each year, she is there to provide support and guidance for the YEG.

Eugene, another pioneer form the same batch of YEG was also there to help out.

For more information please go to this website
http://www.cicadatree.org.sg/ecoproducts_shoo.html