About This Curriculum
This free conservation education curriculum introduces young learners to wildlife conservation through the lens of the Javan slow loris, a Critically Endangered nocturnal primate endemic to Java, Indonesia. Designed for students aged 7-8 years, the curriculum combines classroom learning with hands-on nature exploration to build environmental awareness and foster a lifelong connection to biodiversity.
The curriculum uses the slow loris as a flagship species to teach broader concepts about habitat protection, ecological relationships, and the importance of conservation action. Through age-appropriate activities and experiential learning, students discover the wildlife in their own communities while understanding their role in protecting it.
Curriculum Structure
The complete programme consists of two complementary components:
15-Session Core Curriculum
The main curriculum provides structured lessons delivered over several months, covering foundational conservation concepts, the ecology of the Javan slow loris, threats to wildlife, and what students can do to help. Each session includes clear learning objectives, activity instructions, and discussion prompts.
Nature Club Activity Pack
Following the core curriculum, the Nature Club activity pack extends learning through experiential outdoor activities. These sessions encourage students to apply classroom knowledge through direct engagement with their local environment, including wildlife tracking, habitat investigation, botanical sketching, soundscape exploration, and environmental action planning.
What’s Covered
Students explore diverse topics throughout the curriculum:
- Introduction to the Javan slow loris and its unique adaptations
- Local biodiversity and ecosystem relationships
- Habitat types and their importance for wildlife
- Threats facing wildlife including habitat loss and illegal trade
- Conservation actions and environmental stewardship
- Connections between human activities and wildlife wellbeing
- Hands-on investigation of soil, plants, nocturnal animals, and natural materials
Activities range from creative arts using natural materials to nature writing, bird vocalisation comparison, and developing personal environmental action plans.
What’s Included
The downloadable curriculum package provides everything teachers need for implementation:
- Complete lesson plans for all 15 core sessions
- Nature Club activity pack with engaging hands-on activities
- Activity instructions and facilitation guidance
- Suggested materials lists
- Discussion prompts and reflection questions
- Flexibility for adaptation to local contexts and school schedules
All materials are designed for straightforward implementation without requiring specialized equipment or extensive preparation time.
How to Use This Curriculum
This curriculum adapts to diverse school contexts and schedules. Teachers can deliver the 15 core sessions at a pace suited to their academic calendar – whether condensed into a few months or spread across an entire school year. The Nature Club activities work as follow-up sessions after curriculum completion or as ongoing monthly activities throughout the year.
The curriculum works effectively in both formal classroom settings and informal education programmes. Conservation organisations, nature centres, and community groups can adapt the materials for their own educational initiatives. While designed specifically for Indonesian schools and the Javan slow loris, the framework is adaptable for other regions and flagship species with appropriate modifications.
Why Conservation Education Matters
Young people living in and around wildlife habitats are the future stewards of these ecosystems. By introducing conservation concepts early and connecting students emotionally to local biodiversity, we build the foundation for lifelong environmental awareness and action. This curriculum helps students see themselves as part of nature rather than separate from it, understanding that their choices impact the wildlife around them.
Conservation education in schools reaches students during a critical developmental period when values about the natural world take shape. Through hands-on activities and direct nature experiences, students develop both knowledge and empathy – essential ingredients for creating communities that coexist successfully with wildlife.
Download the Curriculum
This curriculum is freely available for use by schools, teachers, conservation organisations, and educators. We encourage you to adapt the materials to your local context whilst maintaining the core conservation messaging.
Available in English and Bahasa Indonesia
The complete curriculum package includes all 15 core sessions and the Nature Club activity pack in both languages.
Download Curriculum (English & Bahasa Indonesia) – PPT
For questions about implementation or to share your experience using this curriculum, please contact research@littlefireface.org.