newsletter header
September 2015                                News for Agency Professionals


What does authentic learning look like in the classroom?
    
Thank you to Deb-Rougeau Bell who worked with teachers this past year to capture examples of authentic environmental and energy learning. We have nine Environmental Classroom Learning Stories that illustrate authentic learning from grade 1 to Biology 20 classes. Choose any one of these -  watch the video and read how it delivers on cross-curricular competencies, uses key concepts from the Curriculum for a Sustainable Future, engages community resources or experts, student learning was assessed and comments on what changed for students. 

ACEE's pick for this week - Biodiversity Inquiry, Grade 8 - the class engaged in many experiential outdoor environmental education activities using Project WILD. The video and project overview explore two of these activities - students engaging in citizen science by collecting biodiversity data and learning about invasive plant species and then engaging in a removal activity.

 
                     Thanks to Suncor for supporting this project!

                                           
 
Summit to Advance Environmental and Energy Literacy
    
Join us at the Summit on Thursday, October 15th from 9:30 to 4:30 at the Coast Hotel in Canmore to hear guest speakers address the following questions:
  • Gordon Lambert, Member, Alberta's Climate Change Advisory Panel - what solutions will move us forward on both environmental protection and resource development?
  • Youth from the Centre for Global Education - their December 2015 submission to the international climate change conference (COP 21) in Paris and their work addressing: How should Alberta schools show climate leadership?
  • Merla Bolender, Alberta Education - what's next in curriculum development - current and future.
The rest of the day will be working together in various group discussions to outline how we can advance environmental and energy literacy in K-12 education.

                                           
 
There Is Still Time to Register For Earth Matters!
     
The Earth Matters conference is only a few short weeks 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!

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! Register today!

Full details at www.abcee.org/conference

 
Take The Back To School Superhero Challenge!

 Help kids explore the outdoors while teaching them about environmental responsibility. Join the David Suzuki Foundation's Back to School Superhero Challenge!
  • You and your family and/or classroom will receive a superhero-themed activity each week for four weeks (starting September 21).
  • Each activity teaches kids about pressing environmental issues and connects them to the great outdoors.
  • Activities are adapted from the David Suzuki Foundation's Connecting With Nature educational guides.
  • You'll be entered to win an autographed children's book by David Suzuki and a beautiful Herschel hemp backpack. Classrooms can win a collection of autographed David Suzuki children's books.
Research shows that children who spend time outside are healthier, happier and smarter. We also know that people who feel connected to nature are more likely to care about protecting it.

So let's get kids outside and save the world!
.
 
 
Environmental Inquiry for Teachers and Agencies
Social Media Workshop 2010       
There are a number of upcoming 
professional learning opportunities for teachers to learn how to build environmental inquiry into their teaching and for agencies to learn what inquiry learning looks like in the classroom. Register for any of these upcoming sessions:
  • October 7 - 4:30 to 7:30 - Calgary Regional Consortium - Olympic Heights School, Calgary
  • October 20 and 21 - 9:00 to 4:00 - Learning for a Sustainable Future - Mount Royal University, Calgary
  • October 28 - 9:30 to 3:30 - Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium - Westbrook School, Edmonton

            Thanks to our valued partners for supporting these events!
                     

                            
 
Congratulations On Your Enviro Ed Milestones!
     
This fall, a number of our environmental education colleagues marked significant milestones! Congratulations on your achievements and thank you for all you have done to advance EE in Alberta!

  • CPAWS Southern Alberta reached a milestone of engaging 100,000 students in their award winning environmental education programs. Read the Calgary Herald profile piece. 
     
  • RiverWatch Alberta marked their 20 year anniversary! Take a look at photos from their celebration. 
  • Inside Education is celebrating 30 years! Check out the I.E. blog where they profile some of the unique people and experiences that have shaped their success. 
 
 
Calling All Enviro- Musicians! 
Art by Keith Carter (www.kcarterart.com )
    
If you sing, play, or just love listening to music with notes of nature and environmentalism, mark down the Earth Matters Open Mic on your calendar!  This event will rock the fireside lounge of the Drake Inn on the Friday night of the conference and feature some very special guests, like say... you!  But seriously... special guests, they've confirmed.  Reserve your own first-come-first-serve time slot by e-mailing George at mr.george.woodhouse@gmail.com.  All kinds of music, poetry and spoken word are welcome.  There will be an acoustic guitar and a licensed bar for your use and enjoyment... no need to bring your own!  See you at the EMOM!

 
Leadership Clinic Teams Announced 


ACEE Leadership Clinic Photograph The 8th annual Cenovus Energy Environmental Education Leadership Clinic runs November 16 to 19, 2015. ACEE would like to thank all of the teams that applied and to announce this year's teams - check out their goals. The teams are always amazed at how much they accomplish during the clinic  - they arrive with a goal and leave inspired, motivated and prepared to deliver on the action plan they created! ACEE has supported 62 groups in building their capacity to deliver environmental education. 

Cenovus logo
 
Call for Participants - Indigenous Ecological Activism 


Please follow the link below for a call for participants for a new study led by Dr. Gregory Lowan-Trudeau from the University of Calgary into Canadian educators' experiences with learning and teaching about Indigenous ecological activism.


 

Jobs in Alberta
Quick Links
Sometimes all you need is a nudge in the right direction to see and appreciate the nature around us. Check out this great blog post from Nature Conservancy Canada.
Free UBC MOOC on Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education 
Join Dr. Jan Hare, Professor of Indigenous Education, to learn about Indigenous Education through the lens of reconciliation. This free 6- week course begins on September 29th, 2015.
For more information visit:  
www.abcee.org
Questions or comments? Please contact rosemarie@abcee.org.