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August 2015                                      News for Agency Professionals


Sharing 'Awesomeness'- Classroom Learning Stories
    
We've worked with a number of teachers this past year to capture their environmental inquiry or project-based learning stories. These stories have inspired us and we wanted to share the "awesomeness" to hopefully inspire you. Each learning story enhances students' environmental and/or energy literacy, builds on curriculum connections, delivers on the cross-curricular competencies and creates community connections.
 
The Weed Lake Project is the first in our series. Enjoy!

We'll share more stories over the coming weeks. Let's continue to work together to help ALL students engage in this type of learning - learning that gives students hope and helps them create a sustainable future.
 
                     Thanks to Suncor for supporting this project!

                                           
 
We Are Getting Excited! Will You Be There?
     
The Earth Matters conference is less than 2 months away! This will be the largest all-Canadian EE conference in many years. We can't wait to learn, share and collaborate with our colleagues from across Canada!

Still not sure if Earth Matters is right for you? Take a look at our fabulous program and workshops. We have over 70 sessions to choose from! There truly is something for everyone.
  • Interested in the intersections between energy and environment? Learn about best practices in climate change and energy education programs from practitioners across the country.
  • Interested in what's going on in classrooms? You'll hear firsthand about projects and innovative pedagogy from classroom teachers.
  • Want to get outside and enjoy fall in the Rockies? Join the outdoor sessions and learn by doing.
Come and connect with other environmental educators for an amazing two days of learning and networking this October! 

Full details at www.abcee.org/conference

 
Online Curriculum Fosters Global Citizenship & Action!

 Starting this fall, the CAWST Wavemakers 
program will be offering an online course, free for students across Canada! The VirtualWavemakers Summit is an exciting opportunity for educators and youth to explore local and global water and sanitation issues. The Summit provides educators with an easy-to-follow, action-based curriculum that is designed to develop critical thinking, innovation, effective communication skills and global awareness.  
 
Participating teams will be challenged to respond to real-world water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) issues by designing and implementing a solutions-based action project. This hands-on, service learning opportunity provides an authentic experience that reaches beyond the classroom. The Summit provides flexibility for groups to stagger their learning over several weeks while giving them the opportunity to connect online with CAWST staff, local water organizations, and other Wavemakers teams across the country.
 
Visit the website to learn more about the Wavemakers Summit, or email wavemakers@cawst.org.
 
 
Fall Professional Learning Opportunities
Social Media Workshop 2010       
We are working with a variety of organizations and promoting numerous professional learning opportunities. Bookmark the web page so you can check-in regularly to learn of new opportunities. 

Here are some great upcoming workshops (for all details and registration links):
  • Green School Summit-  September 25th - 8:30am to 5:30pm - Calgary
  • Inside Education - Boreal Education Program, October 1 to 3 and Western Canada Oil Sands Careers Education Program, October 18 to 21
  • Pre-conference Summit to Advance Energy and Environmental Literacy in Alberta - October 15th - 9:00am to 4:00pm - Canmore 
  • Environmental Inquiry- these are offered through the Calgary Regional Consortium and the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium.
    •  October 7 - 4:30 to 7:30pm - Calgary
    •  October 28 - 9:30am to 3:30pm - Edmonton
Please share any upcoming professional learning events with Kathy Worobec so we can promote them.

There is still time to submit proposals for some ATA Conventions.

            Thanks to our valued partners for supporting these events!
                     

                            
 
Your Feedback is Needed- Climate Leadership Survey
     
The Alberta government is creating a plan to address climate change in Alberta. Alberta's Climate Change Advisory Panel is engaging Albertans, Aboriginal communities, and technical stakeholders on key issues related to climate change. This online survey is one of several opportunities for Albertans to help inform that plan.

Alberta's government is committed to creating a climate change action plan - with your input - that is ambitious, effective and achievable. During this process we will be discussing what Alberta's goals should be and how we can meet those goals. To learn more about the issues facing the province, read Alberta's Climate Leadership Discussion Document.

This survey should take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete. You answers will be kept confidential and no personally identifiable information will be stored.

 
 
In Deep- A Conversation About Water
     
The Whyte Museum invites you to 
In Deep: A Conversation About Water, a one day symposium on the state of water resources globally and in North America.

The event will be held in Banff on Saturday October 3, 2015. Featuring presentations by local and international speakers, In Deep promises to spark engaging conversation, pertinent to our time and region.

Tickets for In Deep are $80 plus tax per person and can be purchased online.

Further event details are available at: http://www.whyte.org/programs/#indeep.

 
Stormwater Stewards- FREE Article! 
    
"Why is stormwater becoming one of the greatest sources of pollution in urban areas?"

Help your students answer this question and many others on stormwater by reading this article, which Green Teacher just made available for FREE! In Stormwater Stewards, we present in-depth and hands-on stormwater curricula which has been used successfully by many teachers. It is our hope that educators interested in hydrology, urban ecology and engineering solutions to environmental problems will replicate or modify it for their use. It may be particularly useful for educators with stormwater mitigation sites on or near their school site.


 
 

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Set in the world of a spoofed prescription drug commercial, Nature Rx offers a hearty dose of laughs and the outdoors - two timeless prescriptions for whatever ails you. 

Living Green? You Could Win a Bike!
The U of A Office of Sustainabiity wants to see how you're living green. Take a selfie of your sustainable behaviour and post it to Instagram by September 6, 2015. 
For more information visit:  
www.abcee.org
Questions or comments? Please contact rosemarie@abcee.org.