The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), has launched a family-friendly web series to teach children about Philippine biodiversity and its conservation.
Secretary Roy Cimatu said that despite the pandemic, the DENR is taking steps to continue educating young people through the use of modern digital technology.
“Our teaching methods need to evolve to adapt.”
“We should not let COVID-19 hinder the education of the next generation. Our teaching methods need to evolve to adapt to the constantly changing situation brought about by this pandemic,” Cimatu said.
The environment chief emphasized that caring for the environment and natural resources should remain part of the curriculum especially after some studies showed that there may be a link between negligence and exploitation of the environment and the pandemic.
“We cannot take any more chances and allow another pandemic to happen.”
“We cannot take any more chances and allow another pandemic to happen,” the environment head said.
“Samot-Sari” is a five-part web series shown in DENR-BMB’s online platforms, featuring “engaging, relatable, and playful content, especially targeted toward children and youth.”
It features its hero, Super Sari, who helps the children know more about Philippine biodiversity and teaches ways to conserve it.
“We also hope that parents and educators can pick up strategies or innovations that will help them engage the target audience about the environment in creative ways possible,” said DENR Undersecretary for Special Concerns and concurrent BMB Director Edilberto Leonardo.
The concept of Samot-Sari was adapted from the framework of “Dalaw-Turo” which started as a stage play in 1989.
Since then, Dalaw-Turo took on many forms from rural theatres to creative workshops, exhibits, ecological tours, and environmental games.
It also progressed into an open forum with a panel of experts.
The show runs for 20-40 minutes following a narrative and participatory format.
Each episode takes the audience into “an educational adventure with an engaging mix of catchy, sing-along tunes together with stories, arts and crafts, and animation, among others”.
The BMB Youth Desk and Communication Education and Public Awareness Core Group are behind the production of the creative educational materials.
