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September 2015                                                      News for Teachers


What Does Authentic Learning Look Like?
    
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 teachers 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 what is going on in classrooms? Hear firsthand about innovative projects and practices from classroom teachers.
  • Interested in community engagement and outreach? Learn techniques and hear about programs from across the country.
  • Want to get outside and enjoy fall in the Rockies? Join the outdoor sessions and learn by doing.

Come and connect with other educators for an amazing two days of learning this October! Register today!


 

Full details at www.abcee.org/conference

 
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!
                  
                            
 
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!
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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.


 
 
 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
 
Learning Through Experience- Trip to Jasper
    
Calling teachers or youth groups (ages 13 to 19) to apply for the Joy in Nature: Learning Through Experience Trip. One group will be selected to receive a two-day trip to Jasper that includes accommodations at Hostelling International's HI-Athabasca Falls, a Jasper Raft Tour, trip on the Jasper Tramway and stewardship activities, games, dinner and campfire at the Palisades Stewardship Education Centre. This Trip is organized by a coalition of partners to encourage Alberta youth to engage in physical activities in nature and outdoor environmental education. Deadline to apply is November 16th, 2015.
 
Quick Links
Celebrate National Forest Week in Edmonton
Celebrate National Forest Week with Root for Trees! Enjoy the great outdoors and learn about the many benefits of the urban forest. Each day will be filled with activities for all ages.
10 Fun-Filled Formative Assessment Ideas
Whether you're a formative assessment newbie or a veteran, these techniques can help spice up how you check for understanding in the classroom. 
For more information visit:  
www.abcee.org
Questions or comments? Please contact rosemarie@abcee.org.