Personal tools

Trial 06

In 2006, HWEG ran a trial ‘sustainable living’ program known as ‘Sustainability Snapshots’ (SS). This program involved a series of ‘snapshot’ education performances in local shopping centres; a short, sharp sustainability education message delivered in a fun & appealing way.

The premise was to target visitors to shopping centres and provide the opportunity for interesting and entertaining ‘snapshots’ on how to save water, energy, reduce waste at home etc. The SS would be of 5-10 minute duration only, and be short, sharp performances intended to convey simple, basic messages. The ‘snapshots’ are designed to have maximum impact in a short period of time.

kurri performance

The nature of the program was such that it did not intend to engage the audience for more than a few minutes; it aimed to impact on those people who were not interested in free workshops and other traditional education approaches. Based on this, it was decided that rather than spend time pushing a strong environmental justification for suggested practices, the ‘snapshots’ would highlight economic and practical reasons for sustainable actions.

SS were presented on Saturdays, at 10 minute intervals over a 3 hour period. The SS were held at a different shopping centre each weekend for a period of 6 months. Each shopping centre was booked for 7 days and a supporting display be featured in the centre during this time. The display consists of a series of large posters aimed at highlighting sustainability issues and topics “In the Home”, “At the Shops”, “In the Yard” and “On the Move”.

The posters were cooperatively developed by HWEG members and shared amongst the group. The ‘generic’ display was complemented by an LGA-specific display and handouts provided by the local HWEG contact council and partner organisations. These organisations included Hunter Water Corporation (water bottles and recyclable shopping bags) and Energy Australia (energy efficient light globes).

The SS trial was evaluated by HWEG. Both the static display and performance components of the project were assessed, via HWEG reporting survey. HWEG aimed to complete at least 2 evaluation surveys per venue.The evaluation findings are summarised below:

Display findings:

  • A static display on it’s own (unattended, with no interactive component) is not an effective education tool in those locations tested in the Sustainability Snapshots program.
  • An interactive component will improve the effectiveness of a static display in terms of hard-copy information distribution.
  • The presence of a ‘support person’ for a static display will improve the effectiveness in terms of community interaction, to some degree.

Performance findings:

  • Performance is an effective tool in attracting attention & engaging an audience
  • The Snapshot magic tricks were engaging and followed a sustainability theme to a certain degree (noting both the short timeframe in developing the performance, and the diverse subject matter undertaken)
  • Some work may be required to improve the content and nature of the tricks used in the program, should performance be applied to future environmental education opportunities

 

 

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