In previous posts, you had the opportunity to see photos from our excursions to the lake with students and teachers from five local schools, as well as 20 selected underwater images that we took while snorkeling. However, our program in May 2024 was much richer: after the field trips, we visited two schools together with Institut Mosintuwu and presented the biodiversity of Lake Poso, our activities, and also the possibilities for everyone to get involved in exploring and protecting this unique place.
The first seminar was held at SMA GKST 1 Tentena and was attended by a total of 82 students and teachers from two schools: SMA Negeri Harmoni and SMA GKST 1 Tentena.
After a very dignified and accommodating welcome of the participants by the management of both schools, I started the presentation of the biodiversity of Lake Poso. With the help of many photos of animals and the beautiful underwater environment, which are not usually known to people living around the lake, I managed to captivate the audience. The second presentation was given by our friend Eko (Kurniawan P. Bandjolu) from Institut Mosintuwu. He showed endemic animals and plants found in the immediate vicinity of the lake. At the same time, he inspired the students to dedicate themselves to exploring the local biodiversity, because they can become great discoverers and at the same time ambassadors and protectors of the lake.
The seminar was excellently moderated and translated by Lian Gogali, head of Institut Mosintuwu. She also facilitated a discussion after the presentations. At the end, she organized an online survey for the participants – using their mobile phones, they could express their opinions on what they had learned in the seminar and answer quiz questions. The winners received prizes.
The highlight of the program was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between Institut Mosintuwu and the school management and the subsequent handover of aquariums to the selected teams. We will write about the aquariums in a separate post.
The following day, a similar seminar was held at SMA Negeri 1 Pamona Barat. It was attended by 78 students and teachers from two schools: SMA Negeri 1 Pamona Barat and SMP Negeri 1 Pamona Barat.
The program began with a beautiful dance by student Desi. This was followed by presentations and discussions again – it was not possible to organize an online quiz here, so the authors of the most interesting questions were rewarded. Here too, a memorandum of cooperation was signed and the aquariums were ceremonially handed over.
In both schools, the response to the seminar was very positive – the questions were numerous and very interesting. Not only students asked questions, but also teachers and school principals. It was clear that they were interested in participating in excursions to the lake and other educational activities in the future. At the same time, I was personally pleased with the sincere interest of some students and the knowledge of teachers who brought their own insights and observations to the debate about Lake Poso. I hope that we will meet again in the future and admire and explore this beautiful lake together!
We will conclude the miniseries of posts from Lake Poso in 2024 with a piece about school aquariums…
Markéta Rejlková
