Development of an educational structure to support Geopark development

The goal is to increase the role of schools in teaching how to use the local natural and cultural heritage for development and to create a model to be adapted to other rural regions of Romania within the frame of the Hateg Country Dinosaurs Geopark. A Network of schools in Hateg Country around the Berthelot Education Centre has been created. New educational package has been developed and implemented within the created network schools. The educational package comprises three courses and related teaching materials:

Course no 1 Discovering the backyard nature already implemented in the sixth grade in Santamaria Orlea School (2003 ? 2004). It contains Teacher Guide, Student Notebook, CD-ROM, Field applications;

Course no 2 Local traditions ( seventh grade) dedicated to local costumes, legends, crafts, folk art. It will contain also a Teacher Guide, Student Notebook, CD-ROM (designed to be used in the school's computer network);

Course no 1 Local development ( eighth grade) aiming to develop entrepreneurial skills based on local opportunities and needs (small local business basics), administration knowledge, community building. It will contain also a Teacher Guide, Student Notebook and CD-ROM.

Training courses for local teachers based on educational packages developed by the Geopark team. Further steps are: Writing and preparation of the additional support materials; Implementation of the educational packages in all the local schools Design of a web page to incorporate additional resources and as starting point for a national portal dedicated to education in nature conservation; Organize a National Meeting ?Education with representatives of the actors involved in education programs for local development, and nature conservation in protected areas; Promote / disseminate the model.

• Education