Environmental health promotion at a National Science Festival: An experiential-education based approach

Abstract

To increase individual and communal environmental health awareness through an experiential-education project. A computer-based pre- and postintervention quiz; an educational poster; an interactive board game; and a take-home information leaflet were utilized for a school learners-centered health promotion exhibit at a National Science Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa. Out of all the participants, 55.7% were female, and 76.5% attended or had attended a government school. Participants showed significant improvement in their pre- and posteducational intervention. The exhibit was effective in educating participants on environmental health, natural resources, and the impact environmental pollution has on their quality of life.

Acknowledgments

The Khanya Maths and Science Club and Mrs Joyce Sewry from the Rhodes University Department of Chemistry are acknowledged for the logistics in the pilot study. Mr. Niall Borland is acknowledged for his general assistance in the exhibition. Shraddha Patnala is acknowledged for her assistance with social media during the exhibition. Sean Bosman is acknowledged for his assistance in language editing this article. The Rhodes University Faculty of Pharmacy is gratefully acknowledged for funding the running costs of this environmental health promotion exhibit.

Disclosure statement

There is no conflict of interest to declare.

Funding

The study was funded by Faculty of Pharmacy at Rhodes University.