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October 2015                                                      News for Teachers


Helping Meet the Needs of Teachers
Water CoP Meeting Share Fair     
Teachers, this is your opportunity to provide input to help organizations that offer environmental and energy education programs, grants and awards better meet your needs. Complete the ONLINE SURVEY or attend a FOCUS GROUP. Survey participants will be entered in a draw for five, $100 gift cards. ALL focus group participants will receive dinner and a $50 gift card. The survey closes on November 30th.
  • Calgary focus group - November 24th - 4:30 to 6:30pm - For more details and to REGISTER!
     
  • Edson focus group - November 30th - 4:30 to 6:30pm - For more details and to REGISTER!
     
 Thanks to ConocoPhillips for supporting this work.

                                       

 
Canada's Coolest School Trip Is Back!
    
The My Parks Pass program, which offers free entry to Parks Canada places
for all grade 8/secondary 2 students, has launched the fifth edition of the
Canada's Coolest School Trip contest. With the support of Air Canada, this
year's winning grade 8/secondary 2 class will visit Jasper National Park on
a five-day all-expense-paid trip. Enter until February 22nd.

Find out how to enter at: http://www.myparkspass.ca/
 
Thanks For Making Earth Matters A Success!
     
A huge thank you to all the delegates and volunteers who helped make the 2015 Earth Matters conference such a success! Your passion and dedication to environmental education is truly inspiring. Three incredible days of connecting and sharing knowledge and ideas has re-energized much of the EE community in Canada and abroad to go forth and do great things!

Thanks also to our conference partners and to our sponsors, who helped make this event possible.
We are pleased to report that 88% of conference delegates who filled out the post survey rated the conference as Excellent/Very Good!

For those that are suffering from post-conference withdrawal, or missed the conference, you can view conference testimonials and photos at: http://www.abcee.org/conference/2015

 
Get Outside and Play Network for Early Childhood - Events in Calgary and Edmonton

The Get Outside and Play Network brings together individuals from health care, environmental education, play, sport, recreation and parks, child care, and early childhood development to ensure:

All young children, 0-5 years old and their families in Alberta have the opportunity for active outdoor nature play that is safe, positive and engaging.

Come join the network and begin building relationships and skills to increase your capacity to get more young children outside. There are events coming up in Calgary and Edmonton. Learn more below and sign up! 

December 1 - Calgary

December 3 - Edmonton

 .
 
Increase Your Impact - Workshops in Calgary and Edmonton
    
Join us for a full day workshop in which you'll:
  • Apply the internationally recognized Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education to increase the impact of your programs, and
  • Collaborate with colleagues to help move environmental education and energy education from the margins to the mainstream in Alberta.
Learn more and register.

December 2 - Calgary 

December 3 - Edmonton
 
Calling All Teachers!
    
GreenLearning is looking for test pilots to give feedback on the first module to be released from our Oil Sands Education Dialogue Program (OSED).

The Price of Oil, will help uncover what effect its fluctuating cost has on our every day lives.  Students will examine what the current price of oil means for Canada and beyond and, through an online simulation, will investigate how changing oil prices affect Canada's job market, financial sphere, environment, and the global economy. This module is not only perfect for middle school and higher but it fits into the provincial curriculum, is classroom ready and addresses a very current topic that students are asking about nationally. 

What's involved? Simply sign up to:
  1. Review the online module - time commitment: 1 hour 
  2. OR test the whole online OSED program with your students - time commitment: 3 to 4 classes
Learn more and sign up!                                
 
Joy in Nature Experiential Learning Trip
    
Are you part of an Alberta youth group (school, youth group or club) between the ages of 13 to 19? Is your group interested in enhancing youth's physical activity in nature and outdoor environmental education? If yes, then submit your application by November 16th. One group will be selected to receive a two-day trip to Jasper National Park.  

Learn more and apply!

 
World of 7 Billion Video Contest
    
Back by popular demand, the World of 7 Billion student video contest can help you bring technology and creativity into your middle and high school classes. The contest challenges your students to create a short (60 seconds or less) video illustrating the connection between world population growth and one of three global challenges dealing with either Deforestation, Public Health, or Water Scarcity. Students can win up to $1,000 and their teachers will receive free curriculum resources. The contest deadline is February 25, 2016. Full contest guidelines, resources for research, past winners, and more can be found at www.worldof7billion.org/student-video-contest.
 
Quick Links
Children and Nature Infographic
Check out this Children and Nature Infographic by the National Environmental Education Foundation that offers a visual display of the current state of children and nature and how being active in nature can improve health.
Kids Create Street Art That Generates Solar Power!
These kids grew up in a coal state. Now they are making an alternative energy future real--right where they live. Find out how to jumpstart solar art in your neighbourhood: http://artenergycamp.org
For more information visit:  
www.abcee.org
Questions or comments? Please contact rosemarie@abcee.org.