A didactic project

The first initiative for environmental education in the lake area dates back to the 1990s, to the work of the Lake Bolsena Association, presided over by Piero Bruni. In 1996 the association created a course for teachers with the title ‘Knowing Lake Bolsena’. Today, thanks to constant commitment, this course is part of an extensive program of awareness and education about the environment, with the collaboration of the associations La Porticella, Bolsena Lago d’Europa and of the Bolsena Aquarium.

Who is this course aimed at?

‘Knowing Lake Bolsena’ is structured on two levels: training local teachers (in collaboration with the University of Tuscia), and environmental education in the middle schools of the 12 municipalities involved in this initiative (Bolsena, Capodimonte, Farnese, Gradoli, Grotte di Castro, Ischia di Castro, Latera, Marta, Montefiascone, Piansano, San Lorenzo Nuovo and Valentano).

Structure of the project

The program for teachers is recognised by LABFORM (teacher training laboratory) at the University of Tuscia, the body accredited by the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR). It consists of two courses, one of 12 hours and one of 15, maintained by expert teachers in different subjects (see training courses).

For the approximately 800 students in the schools involved, activities are different according to the classes.

• For the First the contents of the program are: geological knowledge relative to the genesis of Lake Bolsena and its emissary; hydro-geological parameters such as the time for the lake waters to regenerate, lake levels, rainfall, water samples and evaporation.
• The Second will study the lake ecosystem, with an excursion on the public ferry from Capodimonte or Bolsena to catch zooplankton with a special net. The collected material will be brought back and studied under a microscope.
• The Third, in addition to revising what was learnt in previous years will dedicate themselves to the study of physical and chemical factors which determine the ecological quality of the lake, with a visit to the sewage treatment plant at Marta and to one of the pumping stations of the ring collector.

The organising associations, despite a lack of resources, have guaranteed to cover related expenses for the participating schools.

This includes:

• printing of educational material
• assistance of external teachers
• adequate availability of microscopes, including material for preparation of slides
• prizes for the best students in a competition at the end of the scholastic year.

The organisers of the program have requested a small contribution of 100 euro from each of the 12 municipalities involved and from the Province.

An open project

The project, with its technical-scientific approach to the study of the lake ecosystem, fits into a broader educational spectrum, that of sustainable development. It is intended to share and promote the knowledge that man is part of nature; that his life and well-being are intrinsically connected to biodiversity; that biodiversity is linked not only to the other biological and physical components of the area, but to the cultural, social and economic elements, to the life of the people that inhabit it.

The project is therefore prepared to expand its range of action by offering students – including those of upper secondary schools – educational courses dedicated more specifically to the cultural, historic and artistic aspects of the lake area, worthy of protection and development.

What can I do?

If your origins at the lake date back 7 generations; if you happen to have been born here; if you came to live here at a certain point; if you are a person who loves to come back here; if you have pleasure in transmitting to schoolchildren something of which life by the lake has taught you – your knowledge and your love expressed through your activity as archaeologist, architect, botanist, carpenter, cook, craftsman, cyclist, dancer, fisherman, gardener, herbalist, mason, musician, painter, photographer, sailor, sportsman, walker, winemaker or zoologist can help to create and give continuity, expanding the horizon of this ongoing educational project.

If you want to collaborate, contact us.