The awareness and commitment of teachers is the key in building biodiversity awareness among primary and secondary school students. Good teachers know best how to get the message across to their students, but some suggestions follow:

1

Explain that all "things that live" are encompassed by "biodiversity," including those too small to see with the naked eye. Point out that people and their cultures are part of the diversity of life. As an out-of-class assignment, ask students to describe the biodiversity of an area near their home.

2

Point out the importance of biodiversity's components mentioning medicines, industrial products, foods, and the contributions of breeding programs to agriculture. Stress the role that biodiversity and biological resources play in shaping human cultures, for example, citing the relationships between nomads and migratory species. Ask students to describe life without one aspect of biodiversity of importance to them, to identify examples of biodiversity use, or to assess how using various biological resources influences local economies and local environments.

3

Emphasize biodiversity conservation efforts close to home, acquainting students with any nearby protected areas, off-site conservation centers, and local management techniques that foster biodiversity conservation. Point out the importance of using resources sustainably. Arrange for the students to visit and tour a local conservation facility. Discuss respect for nature, self-preservation, and other components of a conservation ethic. Stage a biodiversity management meeting, assigning each student a different group interest to represent.

4

Ask students to design posters or write essays about the historic contributions of biodiversity, to recommend management plans for resource areas, to list ways that individuals can contribute to conservation, and to develop a board game demonstrating the obstacles to and rewards of sound biodiversity management.

5

Get the children out of the classroom and into the fields and forests, and let them experience and study the diversity of life directly.