Xrobb L-Għaġin Nature Park in collaboration with the Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes and Ambjent Malta, is providing online sessions about indigenous trees for Yrs 5 to 10 as part of its Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) programme. The sessions are aligned mostly to the learning outcomes of the cross-curricular theme Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and cross-referenced with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They provide opportunities to get acquainted with the local trees and shrubs species, their life cycle and adaptations that help them thrive in the Mediterranean climate. They also aim at understanding the relevance of safeguarding vegetation in relation to environmental matters such as climate change and the urban heat islands effect. To this effect, tree height measurements will be carried out as part of the actions of Xrobb l-Għaġin GLOBE site within the international science education GLOBE programme, targeting to stimulate critical thinking on how trees cool and moisten our air, replenish oxygen and help balance our carbon budget.

The GLOBE programme is a worldwide community of teachers, students, scientists and citizens with the mission to promote science education, enhance environmental literacy and stewardship, and foster scientific discovery. More information about the programme and Malta’s part in it is available here: https://www.facebook.com/GLOBE-Malta-1955995877854244/. Ms Ramona Mercieca, national deputy coordinator of the GLOBE programme, will join the sessions to present the relevance of the mentioned observations within the context of the programme.

A set of video clips are available in the Teams group Xrobb l-Għaġin Resources featuring stunning footage of the park, landscape, wildlife, water and electricity conservation assets on site. The video clips are appropriate for a wide age range of students. It is recommended that the students watch the videos prior to the online learning sessions for familiarisation with the site, SDGs and ESD themes targeted in the sessions.

Interested schools are kindly asked to contact the undersigned on esther.sammut.carbone@ilearn.edu.mt for live sessions bookings and for requests of access of the video clips at the Xrobb l-Għaġin Resources group. The sessions will be hosted via Microsoft Teams. Teachers are kindly reminded that the success of these live sessions is dependent on their active participation.