Promise of Place | Enriching Lives Through Place-Based Education

Promise of Place | Enriching Lives Through Place-Based Education: "Place-based education is a holistic approach to education, conservation and community development that uses the local community as an integrating context for learning at all ages. It fosters vibrant partnerships between schools and communities to both boost student achievement and improve community health and vitality--environmental, social and economic. Project-focused and inherently tailored by local people to local realities, place-based education is relevant to anyone, anywhere. This website offers the inspiration, networking, resources and evidence you need to launch or strengthen your place-based education work."

Journey North: Schools Tracking Wildlife Migration

Journey North: A Global Study of Wildlife Migration: Monarch Butterfly

Free Online Project: Students Track Seasons, Animal Migrations, Climate Change

Teachers and students in K-12 classrooms are invited to participate this fall in Journey North’s 15th annual global study of wildlife migration and seasonal change. One of the nation’s premier Internet-based “citizen science” projects, Journey North enables students in 11,000 schools to track the seasons on a real-time basis. Students monitor migration patterns of monarch butterflies, bald eagles, whooping cranes, and other animals; the budding of plants, changing sunlight, temperature patterns, other natural events. They share their local observations with classmates across North America and analyze current and long-term data from other classroom and professional scientists. As they do so, participants are better prepared to recognize indicators of climate change and consider its implications. Each Journey North study features many entry points and resources that address learning standards: Journey North for Kids reading booklets and lessons with stunning photos and video clips, weekly migration updates, interactive maps, connections with field scientists, and compelling migration “stories.” The studies help students fit local observations and inquiries into a global context. Thanks to a grant from Annenberg Media, Journey North Web site access and participation is free. Visit the Journey North Web site for details: http://www.learner.org/jnorth.

Youth Service Day Lead Agencies Grants

Deadline: September 17, 2007

Youth Service America is accepting applications from U.S. and Canadian organizations wishing to serve as Lead Agencies for Global Youth Service Day 2008. Lead Agencies are organizations that increase the scope, visibility, and sustainability of Global Youth Service Day by leading city, regional, or statewide service projects and receive a $2,000 planning grant. Sponsored by the State Farm Companies Foundation. http://ysa.org/GYSD/LeadAgency/tabid/177/Default.aspx

New Canadian Online database of EE materials (bilingue)

Sharing Resources for a Change

Are you looking for teaching resources that challenge students to engage in the environmental, social, and economic issues facing their communities? Visit www.resources4rethinking.ca and discover tools for active, relevant, and interdisciplinary teaching and learning.

www.resources4rethinking.ca is a new online database where educators and the general public can search for the highest quality, peer-reviewed, curriculum-aligned teaching resources on issues related to the development of an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable society.

www.resources4rethinking.ca allows teachers to search by:

• Sustainability issue or keyword
• Subject and grade
• Language (English/French)

www.resources4rethinking.ca identifies hundreds of print, electronic, and audio/visual resources that teachers can use to facilitate engaging activities related to sustainability issues. Such resources may be published by commercial publishers, non-profit organizations, government agencies or teachers themselves.

www.resources4rethinking.ca will be launched on August 20^th, 2007, just in time for back-to-school lesson planning. For more information, contact Natalie Gibb, ngibb@lsf-lst.ca or toll-free 1.877.250.8202.

Disponible en français | www.ressourcespourrepenser.ca

A Change in the Air: Distance Learning on Climate Change

The Biosphère is now offering to high schools and colleges across Canada Environmental Distance Learning, using videoconference technology.

Offered as part of this new service, the educational activity “A Change in the Air” focuses on the very latest scientific information about air and climate, the impacts on Canada and its regions, and what we can do about it. The general objective of the activity is to make students more aware and proactive concerning their environment.

Target Audience: High School and College Students Duration: 50 to 75 minutes

Project Description Outlines of Subject Matter In Class Post Videoconference Activity Pedagogic Objectives Requirements and availability

Professional development and education opportunities in the environment industry of Canada

Professional development and education opportunities in the environment industry of Canada: "The Canadian Centre for Environmental Education offers education and training related to the professional development and certification of members of the environmental professions. It features: * Distance-delivered Certificate Program in Environmental Practice * Links to environmental career services and professional recognition products * Database of Canadian post-secondary environmental programs (2007 launch) ECO Canada and Royal Roads University are responding to the needs of the environmental sector with the creation of this Centre on a number of levels."

Alberta outdoor ed materials online

Free education materials available from Sustainable Resource Development Alberta Sustainable Resource Development announces the release of the new Outdoors It’s Yours! activity book. Containing over twenty activities, the book is designed to help instill a sense of stewardship within Alberta’s youth between the ages of six and twelve by promoting the appreciation and responsible use of our public lands, forests, fish and wildlife. http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/aboutus/education.aspx