The aim of the CSI programme, is to instill a sense of responsibility among the students and teachers of Cameron Highlands in the care of the river both aesthetically and its importance to us as drinking water. This is done firstly through the Training of the trainers of Programme and later through the CSI programmes conducted with the students by the trained teachers with the help of the volunteers of REACH.
Training of the trainers
The training of the trainers was conducted in 2 parts. The first part is environmental awareness through a power point presentation on environmental problems in Cameron Highlands, REACH as a community based organization, the biodiversity of the montane forest, and the activities organized by REACH like recycling, reforestation, the ecological studies of flora and fauna. Next CSI programme is introduced and how it is carried out and finally why macro invertebrates were used as bioindicators. Cameron Highlands has been known as a river without fishes since Robinson, a surveyor did his survey in the 1930s. All the fishes in the Upper Bertam River are introduced. Macro invertebrates are also extensively used in many countries as bioindicators instead of fishes. This is followed by video clips of news coverage of the water and rivers in Cameron Highlands
The programme started in late May till August 2010. A total of 9 sessions has been conducted. 146 teachers from 21 schools were trained as trainers. 41 students of Form 5 and Form 6 students, and 10 local residents who are college and university students were trained as volunteers to help facilitate the programme. Each session can have a maximum of 30 participants for better understanding of the programme.
Trainers listening attentively. Checking out the manual.
Audio visual teaching Actual news report.
The second part is the practical part where participants were taught how to identify macro invertebrates through a manual and its importance in water quality. There were taught simple chemical tests and finally a river walk to identify sources of pollution to the river, how human activities affect the quality of water, and the difference between a natural river and one that has been modify by man.
Chemical testing. Multi-meter testing by trainers.
CSI programme for students
Biological testing (dirty river). Biological testing (clean river).
This programme is conducted with the trained teachers. The volunteers from REACH acts as facilitators. All equipment and training manuals are provided by REACH. Till now 5 sessions were conducted and a total of 200 students have taken part in the activity.
Instructions before practical. Practical biological testing.
Programmes planned for future
- Science Fair. This is planned for next year as the teachers and students will be more familiar with programme
- River camps. This will be conducted during the school holidays or next year. The camp will not only focus on river but the whole range of water source, the mossy forest, the importance of trees as agent of cloud stripping, the importance of mosses as water reservoirs, thereby the reforestation project. Water pollution due to solid waste and water pollution from pesticides bottles thrown into rivers and thereby the recycling programme. How biodiversity in forest and rivers are being modified by these.
- Charts of macro invertebrates and their relationship to water quality.
- DVDs on the programme will be made and sent to all the schools as teaching aids