Building a Green Ethos: ISKL's Story

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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