Kura

This website examines energy efficiency practices, often building them into the curriculum, and they have exciting success stories to tell. Some of these stories are outlined in the Energy-efficient Schools guide, which is now online at www.neri.org.nz/education/energy_efficient_schools.The Energy-efficient Schools guide is a collaborative venture, initially produced by the National Energy Research Institute (NERI) in partnership with The Enviroschools Foundation, the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA), and supported by the Ministry of Education for this web development.In addition, an advisory panel of energy and education experts contributed their expertise. The result is detailed, up-to-date information on efficient technologies in lighting, heating, equipment, hot water, and transport in schools. Based on this information, downloadable audit and planning templates are provided. Coming soon are interactive tools for inputting energy data and obtaining data for comparison and monitoring.The guide explores the impressive energyefficiency efforts of two large secondary schools and two small primary schools, from Auckland to Southland. It then details how all schools can take action. Taking action is not simply a technical matter, but first involves changing behaviours. For example, an audit conducted during the holidays by students at Northcote College found 289 items left on unnecessarily. This finding led to animportant change of focus, which the Northcote case study details. At Wallacetown Primary, an energy audit led to improved classroom lighting and

heating, and a longer swimming season, yet the school’s overall energy use dropped. The Wallacetown case study explains how they achieved this happy outcome.

Submitted by Roger Waddell. 

I highly recommend reading the 13 September 2008 New Scientist (may be available on www.newscientist.com ) which has a feature article on food miles "A bowl of cereal has the same carbon footprint as a 7-kilometre journey in a 4x4. A steak is equivalent to driving 30 kilometres. But the way we eat doesn't have to cost the earth." I also recommend the attached article from the New Yorker. If you are going down the footprint path, I recommend considering one of the online calculators, especially the Ecotude one. I am working with the Cawthron Institute in Nelson to develop a carbon calculator for schools. Roger.

Year 4-8 and 9-10 resources which promotes changes in behaviour through education and action, to ensure the sustainability of NZ's marine environment. It encourages schools and communities to show social responsibility for their local coastal areas and waterways and it is designed to inspire NZers to keep the spirit of Sir Peter Blake alive.

Contact lauraf@sirpeterblaketrust.org.nz for further information. Key words: simulations, experiential education, sea, ocean, waste, erosion, action, fishing, curriculum.

Ideas for taking action while studying the Olympic - applicable for 2012. Games. Key words: Olympics, olympic, curriculum, projects, metals, trade, buildings, energy, insulation. 

 This is an exciting opportunity for young film-makers to showcase their talent through producing a short film outlining how they see the future unfolding. It contains links to a toolkit, forum, judging criteria, sponsors, and all the information required to enter. Entry deadline is 19 September 2008.http://www.theoutlookforsomeday.net

Teacher Resources from www.schoolgen.co.nz  “The Schoolgen website is linked to best practice in teaching and learning in New Zealand and across the world. As part of the Genesis Energy's “Hello Tomorrow” programme we want to support teachers, students and their parents with key information which we see being used in a variety of ways, but particularly in the context of Inquiry Learning for teachers and students.The Schoolgen resources have been developed to align closely with the New Zealand curriculum.” Key words: energy, fuel, sustainability, science, social studies, electricity, power.

Supplied by Wellington EfS Advisors. Group mixn'mingle challenge based on sustainability issues and questions. Key words: activity, energiser, warm-up, staff meeting, workshop.

A powerful and artstistic depiction of major sustainability issues through photographs. Each image portrays a specific quantity of something: fifteen million sheets of office paper (five minutes of paper use); 106,000 aluminum cans (thirty seconds of can consumption) and so on. Chris Jordan's (the artist) hope is that images representing these quantities might have a different effect than the raw numbers alone, such as we find daily in articles and books. This project visually examines these vast and bizarre measures of our society, in large intricately detailed prints assembled from thousands of smaller photographs.A good visual and could sit alongside the Flags Perspectives resource (also on this www.e4s.org.nz website). Key words: waste, art, photography, consumerism, plastic, health

http://www.chrisjordan.com/current_set2.php?id=7Submitted by Roger Waddell

Response to request for climate change reources for schools:

• Try the Facing the Future material with a sample 'unit' downloadable from www.facingthefuture.org
• talk with Jennie Upton at Port Chalmers School - she developed an enquiry unit on carbon footprint/climate change
• get the Global Education Centre booklet #24 July 2007 - see www.globaled.org.nz/schools/global.html
• get the MfE Our Climate is Changing booklet on Climate Change and Global warming: Cross-curricula Environmental Education Activities info@climatechange.govt.nz Check out other resources they have on www.climatechange.govt.nz
• Check out the study guide to go with Aan Inconvenient Truth (Robert Lewis and Andrew Fildes on www.metromagazine.com.au
• get the Royal Society's Alpha #131 Climate Change Science: Human Influences on the Atmosphere - has suggested student activities and teacher notessales@rsnz.org
• August 2007 National Geographic Climate Change issue
• check out the carbon footprint compilation elsewhere on the www.e4s.org.nz site

Rai Valley Area School have a community plan for World Environment Day - see attached poster. Centred on addressing climate change, it involves transplanting local native trees into the school nursery and eating lunch made from vegetables grown in the school gardens. Key words: carbon offset, climate change, gardens, kicking the habit.

Supplied by Alex Bunge - teacher at Rai Valley AS.