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| ECO-School | |||||||
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"Ontario ECO-Schools has been designed to help school boards and schools play their part in responding to one of the great challenges of our time: the increasingly urgent need to live more sustainably.” The ECO-School programs offered conform to the Ontario ECO-schools program and focus on Waste Minimization, Energy Conservation, Systems Thinking and Ecological Literacy. The guides support the incorporation of ecological thinking into existing curriculum. Each program segment includes an investigative component, a problem solving/analysis component and a demonstration of understanding component. Interspersed throughout, but governed by time available are ecology games, a hike and an opportunity to try the different learning stations set up at the Sustainable Learning Centre. The day program outline varies from school to school based on the number of classes attending, arrival/departure times, and the specific learning objectives the visiting teacher wishes to focus on. Below are brief descriptions of activities that are or can be included. Fall programs place greater emphasis on waste management and interactions within eco-systems. Winter programs highlight energy conservation. Wasting Away: Participants will become aware of the amount of waste people generally produce and the ill effects this is having on our environment through the ever increasing demands on our landfills. Sustainability and the importance of responsible choices in lessening these effects are discussed. A focus on shelter and sustainable buildings provides an opportunity for the students to explore the Sustainable Living Centre and complete a construction audit on the building. Lighten the Load: Participants will examine traditional energy sources that supply Ontario with electricity and their associated environmental costs. Drawing from the features of the Sustainable Living Centre, participants will explore alternative energy sources and conservation measures that we can use in our homes and work places. Hands-on investigations will familiarize participants with other energy sources including the potential of the sun. Heat it Up!: This program introduces students to heat production and maintenance in animals and humans. Our dependency on fossil fuels for heat production in our homes will be discussed and associated problems will be explored. The importance of insulation and conservation is emphasized. A variety of experiments will help students become aware of the sun’s heat energy and how to use it as well as compare different natural materials with some traditionally used insulation materials. Wildlife Habitats: Participants are introduced to some of the common habitats found in Ontario and will discover the different habitat features utilized by wildlife that make these habitats essential. With an understanding of the limiting factors relative to wildlife populations, participants will explore various habitats and make management decisions based on their results. Species at Risk: An introduction and appreciation of the terms and issues surrounding species at risk is provided through this program. Using hands-on activities and by focusing on specific species, participants will understand the interconnectedness between species and their habitats and what the main causes are that are putting species at risk. Discussion on how we can effect change will occur throughout this program. Bouncing Rays: an active outdoor simulation game to demonstrate how the gases we pro-duce through our daily lives are contributing to global warming and climate change. Activities, Climbing Walls, Low and High Ropes Courses. Oh Polar Bear: an adapted game to provide a ‘hands on’ demonstration of human impact on animal life and the broader concept of interactions within ecosystems. Bowling For Carbon: a group problem solving initiative that promotes cooperation to achieve success in ‘reducing carbon emissions’. What Difference Can I Make: students are grouped to summarize what they have learned, infer how this can be translated to the school/home and to present a short skit on what they can do. Choose Your Way: A teamwork activity through which students decide how to accomplish a map based task. We then discuss this as a metaphor for discussing how it is not easy making ’the right’ environmental choices. Sustainable Living Centre: a tour of the Centre with explanations of its features and a chance to try some of the learning centres. If you would like your day program to include additional activities not specific to the ECO-Schools program, please select from any of the programs listed. For more information regarding the ECO-Schools program please contact: Kinark Outdoor Centre P.O. Box 730 Minden, Ontario K0M 2K0
Phone: 705-286-3555 Fax: 705-286-6184
If you wish more background on the Ontario ECO-Schools program, please go to their website: http://www.yorku.ca/ecoschl/index.asp
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