By: Natalia Trita Agnika

Today, May 2 is celebrated as National Education Day. Getting an education is everyone's right, and environmental education is no exception. In addition to formal education, environmental education is also delivered by various parties, one of which is WWF-Indonesia's Panda Mobile. Education about the environment is important to be delivered because one of the characters of the generation that is expected for the next generation of this nation is to have an attitude of love and care for the environment.

In conveying the message of environmental sustainability, WWF-Indonesia Mobile Panda often cooperates with various educational institutions, ranging from kindergarten to college level. The environmental education materials delivered are tailored to the age of the participants. The material is packaged through various interesting activities and interactive games in accordance with the environmental theme to be conveyed.

One of the methods of environmental education to children carried out by Panda Mobile is by playing games. There are various environmental games at Panda Mobile. Call it a giant cricket game with the theme of tigers, orangutans, and turtles. There is also a giant snakes and ladders game that provides information about water. The "Explore Papua" game that combines motor skills and knowledge about endemic Papuan animals is also one of the favorite games in Panda Mobile. Through games about the environment, students can play while learning. They can also get closer to nature through information provided by volunteers. The happy mood makes the information absorbed faster. After playing this game, it is hoped that a great interest will arise and increase the sense of concern in preserving the environment.

In addition to games, Panda Mobile WWF-Indonesia also delivers environmental education through storytelling. This method was chosen because children are more able to understand and comprehend a story that is packaged in an interesting and fun way. Moreover, Panda Mobile storytellers usually have attractive storytelling skills. Usually the storytellers will tell stories about protected animals or about the importance of protecting forests and the environment.

As a medium for conveying conservation messages, Panda Mobile is also equipped with a water education laboratory. Students get the opportunity to test water quality using pH meters, litmus paper, and microscopes. Explanations about the water cycle and the importance of preserving water by saving water and not littering complete the students' experience in trying out the water education laboratory.

Another interesting activity used by Panda Mobile to instill a love for the environment is through movie watching. As an educational tool, the Panda Mobile truck has added value because the back of the truck can be converted into a movie venue. Through a 42-inch television screen located in the back cabin, students can watch various movies about the environment. The back cabin also houses a library with a diverse collection of books.

Not only gaining knowledge, Panda Mobile also invites students to realize their concern for the environment through real activities that they can do themselves. One of them is through recycling activities. In its various visits, Panda Mobile often shares material on how to utilize used goods to become more useful objects.

Through environmental education activities that are packaged in an attractive and entertaining way, the Panda Mobile team hopes that the conservation messages conveyed at the schools visited can be digested easily and enrich insights, both by students and teachers.

Happy National Education Day. Let's encourage the next generation to conserve Indonesia's nature!