Building a Green Ethos: ISKL’s Story Laurence Myers Sustainability & Service Learning Coordinator International School of Kuala Lumpur
EARCOS 2014
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Overview of today’s chat
S This -n- That: Setting the Stage S Do you speak ESD?... The curriculum S Don’t just talk about it!... Service Learning infusion S Bursting Bubbles… Beyond the “expat bubble”) S Glue: Linking campus and learning
This -n- That Setting the Stage
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ISKL “Green” Milestones S 2000: Creation of the “Green Team” S 2007: WASC/CIS Accreditation identifies environmental education and
programming as a focal point
S 2008: Bold Thoughts document created S 2010 S Environmental Coordinator position (presently Sustainability & Service Learning Coordinator (as of 2012) S Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Standards & Benchmarks introduced S ISKL joins Green Schools Alliance (www.greenschoolsalliance.org) S 2011: ISKL Joins Eco-Schools program S 2013 S Review of ESD S&Bs S Recipient of first Eco-Schools Green Flag in Malaysia S 2016-17: New Platinum GBI campus (?)
What does the Sustainability & Service Learning Coordinator do?
S Makes Connections S Develops Curriculum S Promotes & Supports initiatives/Projects/Experiential
Education programming S Links facilities & learning S Establishes/develops organizational structures S Builds Community Capacity
ISKL’s Green Vision Statement (Currently under development)
Educating for sustainability, nurturing nature and helping others are essential in the construction of a sustainable future; one that involves a balanced interaction with nature, engagement in stewardship for the Earth and its people, adapting to ecological limits and embracing the opportunities offered by the vision of a sustainable world.
Where does “green” go?
Assessed Curriculum • HS/MS/ES • IB/CAS
Clubs/ Activities
Experiential Education
• HS/MS/ES
• Malaysia Week • Global Action Program
ESD & SL Self Initiated • Students • Teachers • Parents
Structural • Learning spaces • Behaviors • Environmental Indicators • Procurement policy
How ISKL develops a “green ethos”
S Invite everyone to be part of the conversation. S Take small (and big) steps. S Put it in writing. S Demonstrate. Celebrate. Repeat. S You won’t “win” everything, but keep moving forward. S Be creative. Put sustainability everywhere you can.
Presence
Presence
Pair Share How does this match up with your school?
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Do you speak ESD? Infusing ESD into a classroom near you.
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Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
What sets ESD Apart?
S Multiple perspectives (looking at issues from different lenses) S Social S Economic S Environmental/Ecological S Political (?)
S Systemic Thinking S Both problems and solutions are multi-faceted and inter-related
S Inventing & Affecting the Future S Think Global, Act Local S Students have the power to change the world… here and now!
Multiple Perspectives
Environment Society Society
Environment
Economy
Economy
Systemic Thinking (Ex: Slashing & Burning in Indonesia)
Burning of peat swamps
Increased air pollution
Reduction of forests More respiratory illness
Wood prices rise Less wood available Poorer families
Lower quality of life
Less productive workforce
Aesthetically unpleasant environment
The ESD Framework
Talking about Systems
Grade 4 Alternative Energy Unit
Assessed Curriculum
Grade 1 RRR unit
Grade 6 “Impact” unit (interdisciplinary)
Grade 7 Global Issues
Grade 8 Algebra unit on “home utilities”
Out and about
Grade 3 Ecosystems unit
GAP Reef building project
Pair Share In your school where might students have this conversation (inter-related and systemic thinking)? What would it look like?
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Don’t just talk about it! Service Learning @ ISKL
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The ESD Framework
Service Learning Stages (Cathryn Berger Kaye)
1. Stating the Issue 2.Approaching the Problem
Reflection
3. Choosing an Indictor 4. Envisioning & Goal Setting 5. Thinking Systemically 6. Innovation & Strategy 7. Reflection
Demonstrati on
Service Learning Stages Source: Cathryn Berger Kaye
Reflection
Investigation
Curriculum
Demonstration
DIY Service Learning (anyone?)
S ISKL Service Learning Guide for Teachers
Pair Share How does your school infuse service learning? What could it / should it do?
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Bursting Bubbles Using the Eco-Schools program to move beyond the “expat bubble”
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Eco Schools
Benefits S Putting leadership & initiative in
the hands of the students
S Good connection with IB
CAS projects S Expanding school-community
collaboration S Internationally recognized
program
Eco Schools Themes
Healthy Living
Water
Waste
School Grounds Nature/Biodiversity
Climate Change
Energy
Transportation
The Eco-Schools 7 Steps
Environmental Audit
Eco Code
Eco Schools Committee
Data Analysis & Feedback
Integrate Curriculum
Action Plan
Involve Whole School
Eco-Schools (Green Council) Structure @ ISKL
Initiatives 2011-14: Waste / Nature / Energy
Linking Campus & Learning
ISKL Eco-Schools Mini-Conference
Pyramid 2030 www.pyramid2030.net
Collaborative Decision: Waste/Recycling Competition
Basics: • 9 participating schools from around KL (3 international, 6 national) • Over 1 week they will follow Green Cup guidelines for a competiton • Submission of 2-3 minute video by each school reporting on experience • Videos and results will be tabulated to create a “champion”
Pair Share What are the opportunities and/or challenges for community involvement at your school?
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Glue Bringing together building and learning
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Linking Campus & Learning
S Environmental Indicators S Water harvesting S Energy S Water S Waste/Recycling S Flight Emissions S ESD documentation S Solar panels S Gardens / Hydroponics
S Eco Bathrooms S Recycling / Composting S Ecosystem rehabilitation
(and regeneration) S Tree Inventory / Planting
Home-School Initiatives (of the family variety)
S Composting from home S Community Recycling (one Saturday per month) S Tree-Planting on and off campus S Outdoor trips (subject to leader discretion/availability)
ISKL’s New Campus
Moving onward‌
Eng agem Eart h an ent for t he d its peop le nurturing nature and
on i t c a r te n i d e c n a l re a u B t a n with ISKL’s Green Vision Statement:
Educating for sustainability, helping others are essential in the construction of a sustainable future; one that involves a balanced interaction with nature, engagement in stewardship for the Earth and its people, adapting to ecological limits and embracing the opportunities offered by the vision of a sustainable world.
y the b d e r e f f o s ie it n u t por Embracing the op ture u f le b a in a t s u s a f vision o
Any Questions? If you’d like a copy of anything covered today please feel free to talk to me at the end of the chat.
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Thank you. If you would like information from this session sent to you please sign up at bit.ly/etc14iskl More info? lmyers@iskl.edu.my
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