Enviroschools
What is an Enviroschool?
Imagine ... a generation of innovative and motivated young people, who instinctively think and act sustainably. Wake up to an enviroschool day …
….. Students are learning science, technology and art by helping architects to design a solar heated classroom with a water system that supplies the swimming pool and organic food garden. In a maths class, students use data from the audit they conducted with their caretaker, to report on energy and water savings to the Board of Trustees. Horticulturists and parents are working with a class in the plant propagation unit. They are raising trees to revegetate their adopted gully and establish a rongoā (Māori medicinal) garden. Younger children are mapping the existing trees and recording their native names .. And, while English students prepare their submission to the District Council’s District Plan, others are adding the worm farm project to the school landscaping plan …
… It is a vision that is already becoming reality for many schools through involvement in the Enviroschools programme.
Enviroschools is a programme that is a journey towards creating a more sustainable school, which looks at four key areas including place, programmes, practices and people.
It works on five themes, Zero Waste, Healthy Water, Precious Energy, Living Landscapes and Ecological Buildings. The programme uses the first topic "Me and My Environment" as a platform on which to build the other theme areas based on the action learning cycle, which is similar to the enquiry learning approach. This programme is supported by a facilitator and some great resources to help your school on the journey.
Enviroschools can also work towards an award from Bronze through to Green Gold. This involves reflection with staff and students to look at how the guiding principles and key areas are being developed in their school.
Have a look at what some of our Enviroschools have been doing locally. Check out their scrapbook pages.
Also check out the Enviroschools national website Enviroschools. We are encouraging Marlborough schools to join the Enviroschools programme as a framework to deliver education for sustainability and environmental education more effectively.