Banstola B., Sherpa Y.
Aug 30,2024
In an era where climate change and natural hazards pose increasing threats to communities worldwide, empowering the next generation with knowledge and skills for disaster preparedness is crucial. The VICTORY (Visualizing the Power of Citizen Science Through Observations and Repository for Anticipatory Action) project, a collaborative effort between Smartphones4Water-Nepal (S4W-Nepal) and the Institute Himalayan Risk Reduction (IHRR), is taking significant strides in this direction with support from Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC).Launched in Bhimeshwor and Barbardiya Municipalities, VICTORY aims to integrate low-cost hardware with innovative software solutions to enable community members to contribute to early warning systems and disaster preparedness. But what sets this project apart is its focus on educating and engaging youth through an extensive school outreach program.
From May 27 to June 24, 2024, our team embarked on an inspiring journey, reaching out to 15 schools across both municipalities. We engaged with a total of 915 students - 411 boys and 504 girls - introducing them to the world of citizen science and the critical role they can play in building community resilience.In Bhimeshwor Municipality, nine schools participated, involving 531 students (249 boys and 282 girls). Meanwhile, in Barbardiya Municipality, six government schools joined the initiative, engaging 384 students (162 boys and 222 girls). The outreach sessions were carefully designed to be both informative and interactive, ensuring that students not only learned about the VICTORY project but also gained practical skills in water monitoring.
One of the highlights of our program was the "Water Cycle Game," which proved to be a hit among students. This interactive activity brought the phases of the water cycle - evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection - to life, making complex concepts accessible and enjoyable for young learners. The impact of these sessions was profound. Students learned how to use low-cost rain gauges to measure and record precipitation data, a skill that directly contributes to their community's disaster preparedness efforts. More importantly, we witnessed a spark of enthusiasm in these young minds as they realized the significance of their potential contributions as citizen scientists.What's particularly encouraging is the strong participation of girls in the program. In Bhimeshwor Municipality, 53.11% of participants were girls, while in Barbardiya Municipality, this figure rose to 57.81%. This trend not only reflects our commitment to gender inclusivity but also points to a future where young women play a central role in citizen science and disaster management.
The success of this outreach program goes beyond numbers. We've seen firsthand how interactive learning methods can captivate students' attention and inspire them to engage with critical environmental issues. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills, we're nurturing a generation that's not just aware of the challenges but is also equipped to address them. As we reflect on this journey, we're filled with optimism for the future. The VICTORY project's school outreach program has laid a strong foundation for ongoing disaster preparedness efforts. By empowering youth with knowledge and skills, we're fostering a culture of resilience and community involvement that will have lasting impacts.
Looking ahead, we're committed to expanding and refining our outreach efforts. We believe that every young person has the potential to be an active citizen scientist, contributing to a safer and more prepared community. Through initiatives like VICTORY, we're not just preparing for the future - we're empowering the next generation to shape it. As we continue this important work, we invite educators, community leaders, and fellow organizations to join us in this mission. Together, we can create a world where communities are not just reactive but proactive in the face of environmental challenges, with youth leading the way. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. With VICTORY, we've taken that step, and the path ahead is bright with the potential of the young minds we've engaged. Here's to a future where citizen science and youth empowerment go hand in hand, building resilient communities one student at a time.
