geokids

By understanding the processes that have created our landscape, the environment we live in and the natural resources we have, we can gain deeper insight into why the climate is changing and what consequences it has.

The project group wanted to provide children and young people and their adult leaders with an insight into the connections between geological processes, climate change, and an understanding of geological time and the development of life in a fun, educational, and nature-based way. They wanted to give them tools to approach these big and complex questions while increasing their knowledge of the importance of geological resources, past, present, and future, for local community development, industrial history, and cultural heritage.

In collaboration with several other actors and experts, the project group developed a learning concept on the theme of geology. Partly with nature-based activities, and partly with educational material that comes in two versions. One for school educators and another adapted for tourism actors. The target group is children aged 10-12. The concept was tested in the project and resulted in a basis for dissemination and further development.

A logo and a couple of geological cartoon characters were developed. Among them was Geo, a young and gender-neutral person who proudly wears an emblem with the characteristic of the rock Basalt and a footprint from a dinosaur. Geo of course adorns the information brochure and the diploma materials that were also developed. Three test rounds were carried out with children in two different locations, in Andrarum and in Karakås outside Kivik. Finally, a folder was developed as well as a description of how Geokids fits into the school curriculum, a teacher's guide.

All project goals were achieved or exceeded. Thanks to the project, new collaborations were created and old ones were strengthened. A plan for the continued work was developed, which in turn led to a new job. Geoforum Skåne, but also other actors, have created new tourist destinations and new business and development opportunities.

The project was a first step in a larger vision where the end goal also includes digital components and/or a computer game. Although the material is still only used in analog and oral form, it is prepared for further development into the digital world. Participants, in the project but also in the future, gain an understanding of how the Earth has changed over the 4,600 million years it has existed. This can help them understand current concepts such as sustainability, climate, renewable and finite resources.