Sharing by OWLHK team members
Silvy Chan (Education Officer)
During our visit to the RTC GAIA School, we were invited to join a warm up game named ‘The Owl and The Crow’. We were split into halves. Based on the statement announced by the emcee, we had to make quick judgement on whether to chase after the other group or to escape from them. The details of the game were rather meticulous to note, yet I could hardly forget we standing opposite to each other, besieged by campus, trees, sunshine and excitement. Colleagues jolted and sprang forth before the emcee finished his line, attempting to make a forceful catch. We were as though unleashed horses running and tagging on each other with all-out efforts across the playground.
Series of statements were coming short as our legs were pacing behind our brains. I was much unwilling to realize 15mins had slipped past as we chased around in mania. The warm up game served its purpose so right. I was much heated up, but not even slightly exhausted. Having fun in the game definitely overpowered all heat and fatigue - “Can we play one more game?”
Playing in the nature is never a privilege of children. We all share the same right. To embrace jolly moments like such is the ultimate source of motivation to share and spread the happiness. Do you recall how long since you last skipped and ran in the wilderness? Now is always the best time to do so!
Tree Fong (Project Officer)
This is the first time I observed closely to a humanistic approach in Hong Kong local education practice. The RTC GAIA School adopted an experiential teaching ideology, where teachers allow students to raise independent and free-willed questions or responses under open-ended communications and activities. The teaching content, space and time allows students to develop creativity, offers them flexibility to experience the environment, and often provides capacity for mistakes and growing up in acceptance. I can see that students not only build up knowledge here. They have also established self-esteem and recognition cognitively and maintained curiosity and confidence socially.
As an environmental educationist, as education activities scaled up and lesson plans laid model answers, I reflect on whether my own teaching inclines to formulism, exclusion, distinctive logics, or it remains open and liberal for every audience to share their experience and responses. This shall depend on my choices of education goals and practices.
Cheryl Leung (Development Officer)
This July, we have spent for three days and two nights in a retreat camp, for one shared purpose: TO PLAY!
This was a good opportunity to deepen the mutual understanding among colleagues when we enjoyed hiking, playing detective games and board games together. We became more familiar with the personality of different colleagues and got to know the team better.
The most profound time for me was hiking on the second day. We first went to Po Kwu Wan in Sai Kung. The route was supposed only to take half an hour to finish. As all of us were so eager to observe various interesting wildlife along the way, we took twice as long to reach the destination. I enjoyed learning and exchanging ideas in this relaxing atmosphere. We didn't rush for schedule, nor was it directly related to work. Our exploration of wildlife was just based on our interest and curiosity about nature.
After that, it was very refreshing to step into the cool stream in the hot weather, as well as getting touch with fish and seeing beautiful dragonflies and plants. It was a valuable opportunity for our teams to relax our bodies and minds and immerse ourselves in nature. We could merely enjoy the gifts of nature.
Perhaps, only by sparing time to rest, we remember that our daily life is inseparable from relationships: with colleagues, with ourselves, and even with nature. All the above relationships are so precious that require time to nurture and nourish.
I remembered the scene when I identified the big tree by my village many years ago. I was moved at that magical moment: "I finally know what species you are, thank you". I would always remind myself of the beginning mind when participating in environmental education: No matter how busy we are, we should spare time to return to nature to experience its immensity and mystery, and got astonished and inspired via reconnecting with nature.
