INCORPORATING CREATIVE AND INTERACTIVE PROJECTS TO HUMANE EDUCATION PROGRAM

Michelle Cintrón-MatosExecutive Director

Puerto Rico Alliance for Companion Animals, Inc.

Humane Society International Track – Animal Care Expo 2014

WHY HUMANE EDUCATION?

“THERE ARE TWO EDUCATIONS: ONE SHOULD TEACH US HOW TO MAKE A LIVING AND THE OTHER HOW TO LIVE.” - JOHN ADAMS

WHY CREATIVE?

Kids of yesterday Kids of today

WHY INTERACTIVE?

“I’VE LEARNED TO CEDE CONTROL OF THE CLASSROOM OVER TO THE STUDENTS OVER TIME; THERE IS A TRUST, AN UNDERSTANDING AND A DEDICATION TO AN IDEAL. I SIMPLY DON’T HAVE TO DO WHAT I THOUGHT I HAD TO DO AS A BEGINNER TEACHER: CONTROL EVERY CONVERSATION AND RESPONSE IN THE CLASSROOM. IT’S IMPOSSIBLE. THEIR COLLECTIVE WISDOM IS MUCH GREATER THAN MINE AND I ADMIT IT TO THE OPENLY.”

- JOHN HUNTER, WORLD PEACE GAME

BEFORE STARTING

LISTEN

SHARED PHOTOGRAPHY

A collaboration with Fundación para el Capital Social, lead by Dr. Astrid Morales who was certified in the PhotoVoice © methodology.

Work done through FEPA in alliance with Abbie’s School in Culebra, Puerto Rico.

SHARED PHOTOGRAPHY

Methodology: photography as an empowering tool to provide students with a creative outlet to voice their concerns and dreams about and for the animals in their communities.

Participatory community photography – all participate defining, taking and constructing a story inspired by the photos.

HOW?Group students and divide them into sub-groups

• All the students have roles:• Leader• Camera Custodian• Photographers

• Assigning specific subjects:

• Examples• “What is the current situation of animals in Culebra?• “What are your dreams for the animals of Culebra?

• Discussing specific tasks and timelines

• How long they have to take the pictures• How will the construct the stories

WHAT YOU NEEDCameras (compact, phone camera, disposable)

Cooperative teacher/social worker

Consent/Releases

Clear instructions

Community sharing strategy

• School/community exhibition

POTENTIAL PARTNERSTeachers/Social Workers

Parents

Media

Municipalities/Government

Private Sector

THE PROJECT IN ACTIONPHOTOS FROM THE PROGRAM

Students from Abbie’s School get cameras from corporate sponsor, get visited by professional photographer for photography lesson, get featured in local newspaper and travel to Los Angeles California to participate in the Animal Hero Kids Awards where they receive recognition for their work.

VIDEO – PSA’SPUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

VIDEO – PSA’SMethodology: video as an empowering tool to provide students with a creative outlet to voice their concerns and dreams about and for the animals in their communities.

Participatory community video – all participate by creating scripts, being active players, directing and staring in the video.

HOW?Group students and divide them into sub-groups

• All the students have roles:• Leader• Script Writers• Starts• Videographer• Editor

Focusing one message per video

• All the students collaborate in the message

Discussing specific tasks and timelines

• How long do they have for writing the script and shooting the video

• Who will edit the video

WHAT YOU NEEDVideo Device (video camera, phone with video camera, compact camera with video capabilities)

Computer

• (Editing Software: iMovie, Movie Maker)

Cooperative teacher/social worker

Consent/Releases

Clear instructions

Community sharing strategy

• Web/YouTube/Facebook

POTENTIAL PARTNERSTeachers/Social Workers

Parents

Media

Municipalities/Government

Private Sector

THE PROJECT IN ACTIONVIDEOS FROM THE PROGRAM

VIDEO: BE THE VOICE(HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=ZJJ8R28XA1I)

VIDEO: DISCOVER THE HEART IN EVERY ANIMAL (HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=NEJXNOZROFI)

OTHER PROJECT IDEAS

Story writing and story telling

Humane videos

Creative posters

WHEN GUIDING A CREATIVE PROCESS

Be prepared

Look for creative partners

Help them focus their ideas

Listen to their voices

Resist the urge to control

Be flexible

Enjoy the gift!

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

Photography Credits:Michelle Cintron Jorge Colón Geesa Marzán Stock Photography: Fotolia

www.pranimals.org