Pesticide Education 275
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Time: 2 to 3 hours
Materials: drawing paper, colored pens or pencils, tacks or tape
If people already know that pesticides are harmful, this activity can help them think
of solutions. It is helpful to have a person lead the activity.
➊ Talk about pesticide problems
Discuss the common ways people in the community
come into contact with pesticides.
➋ Draw pesticide problems
Each person draws a picture of 1 way people are
exposed to pesticides. These pictures are then taped
or tacked to a wall. The group then looks at the
drawings and decides on the 3 to 5 most common
problems. Next, the group begins to talk about what
might cause these problems. What makes these
exposures to pesticides so common? Why are they so
difficult to prevent?
➌ Draw solutions
In groups, people discuss possible solutions and draw pictures of their ideas. For
example, if the problem is exposure from leaking backpack sprayers, short-term
solutions include fixing the
leaks and wearing protective
clothing. Long-term solutions
might include buying new
equipment or changing to
organic farming. A group
might draw any or all of these
solutions. Often a solution will
solve more than one problem.
Tape or tack the solution drawings
to another wall.
➍ Talk about solutions
Talk about the different solutions people
drew. Which solutions can be achieved
soon? Which solutions will take longer to
achieve? The drawings can be rearranged so the most
practical short-term solutions are at the top. Have people talk about how to achieve
these solutions and work toward the longer term solutions too. Discuss what the
group can do to make these solutions happen.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012