Inspiring Sustainability in BC Schools:
Teaching & Learning for Awareness, Action and Change

 

Over 150 teachers, educators and facilitators descended on Vancouver Museum on October 20^th for a rich day on Sustainability Education (SE). Workshop sessions, a forum on the revival of ECC (Environmental Concepts in the Classroom - now CEL) and a diverse set of displays from local educational organizations were introduced by Dr. Bill Rees’ knockout keynote on the urgency of sustainability education in an unsustainable society. Sessions spanned from exploring barriers and bridges to SE in teaching to a variety of strategies for change in students, teachers and schools. The potential of web technology, children’s art, drama, and student journals reflected the diverse spectrum of best practices that demonstrate engaging students in relevant and real hands-on and reflective learning approaches.

 

Individual teacher and group success stories throughout the day modeled the power of beginning the journey towards sustainability education. Once on this journey we are empowered by using the emerging networks of cooperative and supportive practice to help support the development of solid SE programs in schools.

 

The day wrapped with cool beverages and snacks in the Big Room with stunning fall colours outside, floor to ceiling window views of the Vancouver backdrop, good energy, conversation and connections - all to the outstanding soundscape of the Sweet Cascadia trio. The wine and cheese was followed by the Walking the Talk launch which included the talented and energetic musical dance troupe La Biciclettas.

 

EEPSA and GVRD congratulate and thank you for attending and all of the speakers, presenters, staff and many volunteers who helped make our Fall 2006 conference a tremendous success. With the event sold-out 10 days before the conference date, the value and need of developing more SE practice and programming in BC schools is apparent. It also speaks strongly to the great goals we can achieve through synergy and cooperative efforts. The combined efforts of EEPSA, GVRD education team and sponsorship by EEBC and BC Network of Sustainability Education Working Group (Walking the Talk) helped create a rich day of learning and change for all in attendance that we hope will continue to inspire and motivate participants in the weeks and months ahead.

 

We are heartened by the excellent feedback and welcome you to join us at our upcoming event in Vancouver on January 20^th. Also, please maintain contact via several networks available for educators in BC – the EEPSA website, EEBC, GVRD educational workshops, and the new Web 2.0 Walking the Talk platform!

 

Fall Conference program (1.6 Mb)

Bill Rees Keynote "Can we Teach Sustainability? (And should we have to?)" (3.1 Mb)

CEL document (A revitalized Environmental Concepts in the Classroom) (693 Kb)