essay

Environmental Science is an important subject in the primary school as it teaches the pupils about the world they live in and its surroundings. Some of the things that form part of our environment are plants and animals, soil, water, air, political and economic forces, cities, industries, human, natural and social system etc. This write up will define the term environmental science and also explain the importance of environmental science in primary school.
According to Wright and Boorse [2005] Environmental science is the study of how the world works. It looks at the cause and effects relationships underlying the issues and problems that arise from our use of the natural world and provides answers that enable human societies to make changes consistent with a sustainable future. All sorts of discipline contribute to Environmental Science, history, geology, sociology, biology and many more.
Jackson [1996] also asserts that Environmental Science is the study of the natural and man-made world. These include the formation of rocks, the climate system, the cycling of biological important elements and the interactions between organisations and their surroundings. Environmental Science involves the identification, measurement and classification of these processes.
According to Einstein in Miller and Spool man Environmental Science is the study of connections and in Nature.
It is everything around us and includes the living and non-living things [air, water and energy] with which we interact in a complex web of relationships that connect us to one another and the world we live in.
Therefore the writer defines Environmental Science as the combination of people and their surroundings. How we use our natural world and preserve it. It is also a system that includes all living things that surround us as human beings.
According to Einstein in Miller and Spool man Environmental Science teaches solutions to problems such as the sustainable degradation of forests and offer forms of natural capital. For example a solution the problems of depletion of forests might be to stop burning or cutting down trees. This will reduce soil erosion thus it has an effect of the natural world of plants and animals that soil supports.Ecconomically, many people depend on soil to earn a living so if pupils are taught about cutting down trees they will know the side effects of soil erosion.
Environmental Science helps pupils to know how living things interact with one another and with their environment. Every organisation is a member of a certain species, group of organisation that have a unique set of characteristics that distinguish them from all other organisations.
According to Elvam Environmental Science Education helps in programming, learning experiences ranging from simple to complex. It is full of concrete things which children may examine classify, interpret and then draw their own conclusions. The principle of Environmental Education is that it makes the child’s education problem-based for understanding the environment and the hazard of its pollution. The Environmental Science curriculum is socially relevant as it tells how unchecked and unplanned development pollutes air, water and soil thereby threatening to health hazards. For example if children are taught of the pollution they will know the solution to the problem that is to prevent excessive dumping of chemicals and wastes into streams. This will reduce water pollution and also burning of different things will reduce chronic health diseases.
According to the Primary School E.S Syllabus [1994] Environmental Science seeks to make pupils aware of themselves and the physical environment around them. The Syllabus also supports Elvam that E.S provides opportunities for pupils to investigate problems as drought, deforestation, air and water pollution and wildlife depletion whilst also developing process skills and concept in science.
The syllabus adds on that Environmental Science is the first formal experience of science and its main purpose is to develop some basic scientific knowledge, skills and attitude and provide opportunities to explore the world through simple scientific enquiry. It is important that pupils be pointed with activities which develop a basic understanding of environment issues and for them to develop positive attitudes towards the environment.
According to Young [1979], Environmental Science teaches children important skills. It teaches them to think in a clear and logical way. For example pupils acquire basic scientific knowledge of science then should understand how diseases e.g. cholera, develops. When they gather facts they should be able to analyse the classified and understood facts. It can also help them solve simple practical problems clearly and logically, they are more likely to solve them. Environmental Science also help children to develop their physical skills especially their ability to handle things. All these skills will be useful to children as they grow up.
According to Panneers Elva metal Environmental Science impart knowledge thus helping social groups and individuals gain a variety of experiences and acquire a basic understanding of the environment and its associated problems.
Also for self fulfilment and social development in that it teaches in the maintenance of life and health, in self preservation of the human race. Environmental Science promotes to understand and appreciate how the environment is used for making a living and promoting a material culture.
In conclusion, it is of paramount importance that Environmental Science should be taught in primary schools so that pupils can better understand how the world and its surroundings work, so that they appreciate and enjoy nature and society. Therefore Environmental Science should be included in the curriculum.

Reference
Jackson M and Jackson R.W [1996] The Natural Environment and Human Impact, Addison Wesley Longman Ltd, England.
Boorse F and Wright T [2005] Environmental Science eleventh Edition, Benjamin Cummings, USA
Young B.L [1979] Teaching Primary Science, Longman Group Limited, Hong Kong
Panneers Elva metal [1996] Environmental Science Education, Sterling Publishers Pvt, Ltd New Delhi Primary School Environmental Science Syllabus [1994] Harare.