GSM Outreach 2022
The Outreach activity organized by the Geological Society of Madagascar (GSM) finally took place this year of 2022 after a hiatus in 2021. The main reason for the hiatus was COVID-19, which has impacted all the educational (in all levels) and all other administrative activities in Madagascar.
As a reminder.......
The program began early in 2021 (specifically in February–March, 2021) with a training of the outreach team leaders and preparing for materials needed for the out-of-class activities. Much of these activities were done virtually and via online communication. When necessary and when COVID-19 measures eased, local volunteers meet at a dedicated place to brainstorm ideas. To enhance the impact of this program, GSM recruited more volunteers to join the outreach efforts and to offer opportunities to university students to be involved in educating high school students.
The timeline to perform the planned activities was expected to take place in June and July of 2021. However, because of the new COVID-19 strike in 2021 (which was stronger than in 2020), the activity was put on hold.
The program began early in 2021 (specifically in February–March, 2021) with a training of the outreach team leaders and preparing for materials needed for the out-of-class activities. Much of these activities were done virtually and via online communication. When necessary and when COVID-19 measures eased, local volunteers meet at a dedicated place to brainstorm ideas. To enhance the impact of this program, GSM recruited more volunteers to join the outreach efforts and to offer opportunities to university students to be involved in educating high school students.
The timeline to perform the planned activities was expected to take place in June and July of 2021. However, because of the new COVID-19 strike in 2021 (which was stronger than in 2020), the activity was put on hold.
As Madagascar started to open up its political boundaries to foreign visitors and international travelers in 2022, the COVID-19 bans in the island also got lifted, with conditions that people continue to maintain the health guidelines to minimize the spread of the virus.
With this said, the outreach activity by GSM resumed. Still, due to COVID-19 regulations, large gathering was prohibited. While Lycée JJ Rabearivelo was the primary target of the activity, this large gathering restriction has led GSM to choose another high school to perform the activities. Hence, the Geoscience Literacy Program was executed at the Lycée Ambohitrimanjaka.
With this said, the outreach activity by GSM resumed. Still, due to COVID-19 regulations, large gathering was prohibited. While Lycée JJ Rabearivelo was the primary target of the activity, this large gathering restriction has led GSM to choose another high school to perform the activities. Hence, the Geoscience Literacy Program was executed at the Lycée Ambohitrimanjaka.
Summary of the outreach activity
The first school visit took place on March 30, 2022 (Note: before then, several necessary administrative paperwork were prepared and submitted to local authorities).
To the left is a photo of some of the GSM outreach leaders and team members meeting with the students and the school official and teachers. The outreach activities were divided into four topics, the focus of which was centered around the overall expertise of each volunteer. Students rotate every week, so that they could learn about all activities offered by GSM. The in-class activities officially took place on April 27, 2022 [60 students], May 4th, 2022 [55 students], May 11, 2022 [56 students], and finally May 18, 2022 [53 students]. An assessment activity followed by students’ evaluation was performed on May 25, 2022. Student’s grade average is B+. Their feedbacks to the outreach activity by GSM were also very positive and encouraging. |
Following the in-class lecture and activities, GSM outreach volunteers took the student to an organized field trip to a dimensional stone mine in Ambohidratrimo (see more photos below). Such field excursion took place on June 1, 2022. GSM rented two large vans to transport the students. Volunteers with the "Team Mines" taught the students on rock and mineral identification. Students were also able to put into practice the lesson learned from topic four (Environmental Geosciences/Mining). During this trip, the school official of Lycée Ambohitrimanjaka and two other instructors joined the trip. |
This outreach activity satisfies all three missions of GSM, which is “Exchange”, “Empower” and “Excel”. GSM members share their knowledge to high school students to encourage them. Their mentoring and teaching skills improve significantly, preparing them to be a leader and a role model.
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GSM officially closed the 2022 Outreach Activity by sharing certificates to all participants on June 04, 2022. The top 10 students from the outreach activity final assessment were provided special prizes (school supplies). The president of FRAM (Association of parents who are teachers) honored this event by their attendance.
During the closure, GSM gave appreciation gifts to the school official and instructor. |
Some photos during the hands-on practice and in-class activities Photos during the field trip in Ambohidratrimo Photos during the distribution of certificates and prizes |
Below are the details about each topic of this outreach activity.
The first topic was focused around Mining, and it was led by Rina. The other members include Mialy Ravaka, Johary, Ony, and Fitiavana. The activity was done in the form of lecture and active discussion, followed by hands on activities on specific geologic structures of faults (where minerals and specific geologic resources can be found). Students were additionally provided with handouts that contains necessary information about the topic. The second topic was focused around Paleontology. Antsa was the leader of this team, which includes Styvanna and Anita. To keep the format of the outreach activities consistent, the team Paleontology also delivered the course as a lecture and active class discussion. Handouts were also distributed to attending students at the beginning of the course. The outreach volunteers additionally provided large format poster for more visual illustrations. To ensure that students have fun and get something meaningful out of this activity, the Team Paleontology organized an exciting lab practice, allowing students to understand the principle of molding and casting (in fossil preservation). They brought some samples for the students to identify and draw cool fossils. They additionally organized some kinds of group competitions on such activities and reward the best ones. The third topic was focused around Hydrogeology, which was led by Cyril. The other members include Johnny and Finaritra. Team Hydrologeology delivered the course as a lecture and group discussion as well. To engage students in the activity, the main hands-on activity of this topic consisted of identifying various hydrological sources, describing the different parts of a groundwater system by using a container filled with clay and sands, i.e., with significant difference in grain size. Students were asked to interpret the groundwater behavior depending on the grain size being chosen. As done with team Mines and team Paleontology, students were also given handouts to support the in-class lecture and activities. The fourth and last topic was focused around Environmental Geosciences/Mining, the main idea of which was to illustrate and to educate the students on the various steps to assess Environmental and Societal Impact related to mining activity. The topic was led by Robson with the other team members comprising Mialy, Sahaza, and Andoniaina. As for all activities, students receive handouts as well. The activity was mainly focused on class active discussion, with some figures taken from the field or a mining activity topic, and asking them to share their opinion about the possible steps to take. You will see to the left some gallery images of the students and the outreach volunteer team during the hands-on practice, during the field trip, and during the distribution of prizes and certificates. |
As a sign of appreciation of the volunteers hard work, they were given a "certificate of appreciation" and small stipend to compensate for the time and money they spend during the preparation and execution of the activities.
Acknowledgment: We are grateful to the Beta Sigma chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International for supporting this effort.