INSIDE EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM!
Adapting Alberta: Climate Change EcoLab October 19-20, 2011 Summary Report
Program-at-a-glance Jesse Row, Pembina Institute shares his expertise and insights into climate change in Alberta Participants learn about the role of carbon capture and storage and Alberta’s Climate Change Strategy A visit to the City of Calgary’s Ralph Klein Park and Education and Ethics Centre, LEED Gold building
Inside Education’s 2011 Adapting Alberta Climate Change EcoLab brought educators from across the province together for a unique look at climate change. Participants from across the province were given the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of how climate change is shaping our province and the actions that can be taken at various levels - provincial, municipal, communities, schools and individuals – to reduce carbon footprints through innovation, conservation and stewardship. It is widely accepted that changes to our climate are occurring and we understand that both the private and public sectors are accountable for a rise in the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. Through professional development programs such as the 2011 Climate Change EcoLab Inside Education aims to raise awareness of climate change issues, promote innovative technology and encourage wise energy use, conservation and efficiency.
Discovering what’s behind the walls of Avalon Master Builders Discovery 5 Net Zero home. We are treated to a tour of C3’s green office while director Jeff Reading explains how Energy, Ideas and Change are the keys to reducing our carbon footprint Students at Olympic Height’s School showcase their renewable energy technologies including an onsite wind turbine and computer monitoring software. Participating in an inspiring education session to help bring the learning back to their schools
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INSIDE EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM! THE PROGRAM
Introductory Workshop and Classroom Connections Inside Education
Climate Change 101 Jesse Row, Pembina Institute
Adapting our Policies Nicole Spears, Alberta Environment and Water
Adapting our Buildings Exploring the Ralph Klein Environment, Education and Ethics Centre
Through our five program themes - Adapting our Energy, Adapting our Buildings, Adapting our Communities, Adapting our Schools, Adapting our Selves – participants were guided through sessions and tours that showcased innovations and sustainable initiatives that are making a positive impact on carbon emissions here in Alberta. A detailed program can be found in Appendix A.
Adapting our Homes Discovery 4 Net Zero Home Tour
Adapting Ourselves Je Reading, Climate Change Central
Adapting our Schools Olympic Heights School - Wind turbine and waste management initiative
OUR PARTNERS Inside Education appreciates the generous support of all the program partners. Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers Devon Energy Encana Corporation Government of Alberta Small Explorers and Producers Association of Canada Tomorrow Foundation
A special thank you to all the organizations that supported the program by hosting tours, providing guest speakers and sharing teacher resources.
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INSIDE EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM! PARTICIPANTS 13 Participants, 8 Communities, 10 Schools Marcia Bell, Macklin Public School, Grande Prairie AB Gloria Bosma, Malmo School, Edmonton AB Brenda Bowman, St. Martin de Porres School, Red Deer AB Kelsie Conner, Dr. Morris Gibson School, Okotoks AB Gary DeLeeuw, Louis Riel School, Calgary AB Vincent Isaac, St. Teresa School, Edmonton AB Kevin MacNeil, Bridge Network, Grand Prairie AB Aliya Malik, Vista Heights School, Calgary AB Natalie Paulgaard, Hugh Sutherland School, Carstairs AB Kristin Pollack, Hugh Sutherland School, Carstairs AB Gwen Stewart, Harts Colony School, Veteran AB Barb Tate, Southern Alberta Technology Council, Lethbridge AB Corrine Webb, Cranston School, Calgary AB EVALUATION The teachers on the 2011 Adapting Alberta Climate Change EcoLab were very pleased with the perspective and insights they gained; 100% agreed that they left with an increased awareness and understanding of climate change in the province. The survey results along with the testimonials express the high value and need for professional development programs such as this one. “It was just awesome! I would like to share the ecotour with my family, my staff and my student - they all need to see how feasible it has become to live smarter in light of climate change.” Kristin Pollack, Hugh Sutherland School, Carstairs “I have a much clearer idea of exactly what the government of Alberta is doing to building in Alberta. I'm looking forward to presenting accurate facts and graphs to my Gr. 9s during our electricity unit.” Marcia Bell, Macklin Public School, Grande Prairie “Very pertinent issues and very relevant to what I / we are teaching in school this year.” Gary DeLeeuw, Louis Riel School, Calgary “My knowledge was rather limited, and having a broad scope of experts from various areas really helped my knowledge base. As far as how this impacts my teaching, it would be to show different points of view on the issue, and also point me in directions for materials and ideas.” Gloria Bosma, Malmo School, Edmonton
Inside Education is proud of the success of the 2011 Adapting Alberta Climate Change EcoLab and confident that the tour participants will share their knowledge and experience through meaningful climate change and energy education back in their classrooms, impacting of hundreds of students across the province.
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Adapting Alberta: Climate Change EcoLab, October 19-20, 2011 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19 Evening Reception: Welcome and Introductory Workshop Hosts: Inside Education This opening session and workshop will set the stage for this short but dynamic program. Here you will be introduced to Inside Education, the program and to each other! We will begin our climate change journey with an interactive workshop and share resources that you can use back in your classroom. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20 Introduction to Climate Change in Alberta Presenter: Jesse Row; Director of Sustainable Communities Group, Pembina Institute What is climate change? Who is involved in finding solutions? How does Alberta fit into the climate change story? Jesse works with communities, industries and government to explore opportunities for promoting and adopting sustainable energy technologies and practices; he will share his expertise with us as we explore how everyone is adapting to our changing climate. Adapting Our Energy – AB Climate Change Strategy and Carbon Capture and Storage Presenter: Nicole Spears, Alberta Environment Since it’s implementation in 2008 Alberta’s Climate Change Strategy has aims to demonstrate how the Alberta government strives to be a leader in innovation and finding solutions to a global issue. Hear how carbon capture and storage, green energy and conservation all play a role Alberta approach to climate change and learn more about how we can reach our goal of reducing carbon emissions by 2015. Adapting our Buildings – Explore Ralph Klein Park Environment Education and Ethics Centre Host: Kyle Manus, Ralph Klein Park (RKP) Find out what makes Ralph Klein Park (RKP) LEED Gold certified by meeting high performance standards in environment responsibility and energy efficiency as well as a leader in storm water management. Also hear about the exciting onsite programs for students and Calgary citizens to promote sustainability and stewardship for a healthy future for the city. Lunch Adapting our Communities – Discovery 5 Net Zero home tour Host: Ryan Scott, President and CEO, Avalon Master Builders Imagine producing your own power in your home to meet your family’s needs! Explore behind the walls of a Net Zero home in an inner city Calgary community using the latest environmentally efficient technologies. Learn more about Avalon’s goal is to build Net Zero homes at no additional cost to the consumer by 2015. Adapting Our Selves – Stewardship and Personal Action Host: Jeff Reading, Director, Business Development, Climate Change Central (C3) Energy, Ideas and Change are the keystones of C3 and Jeff will highlight how teachers and students can take this motto back to their classroom and make a difference. We will visit their green office space to learn about energy efficiency, clean energy programs and how individuals can take action to reduce their energy footprint. Adapting Our Schools – A school with a vision Hosts: Enviro-committee, Olympic Heights School Olympic Heights school has a vision for sustainability and they want to share their story to help you create a one for your school, hear the story of where they’ve been and where they’re going. Learn about the successes and challenges of implementing renewable energy technologies and conservation in a school environment.
Many Thanks to all of our Program Partners