This article is based on an interview with the EcoTeam at Jack Miner Public School in Durham District School Board.
Who is part of your EcoTeam?
At Jack Miner, we have an amazing group of committed young environmentalists as part of our EcoSchools team. Our students range from Grade 4 to Grade 7 and we currently have 22 members on our team. New members are always welcome!
What did your school do for the EcoAction Challenge?
For the 2015 EcoAction Challenge, our EcoTeam felt inspired to create/research/lead nature hikes in the forest at our school. We spent time in the forest with our team and discussed the important issues we would want to teach the classes that would be involved in the nature hikes.
The team then selected five points where we would stop and teach about the environment. We put a special emphasis on the importance of trees. The team created a pamphlet to use during the hikes to assist the leaders and teachers and also placed our pamphlet in the school office for anyone who wants to take a self-guided nature hike.
What did students say about your EcoAction Challenge?
The EcoSchools student leaders really enjoyed the opportunity to share their knowledge. This is what they had to say:
“I liked participating in the EcoAction nature hike because you get to tell younger kids how important it is to protect the environment.” – Emily (Grade 5)
“I liked doing the Nature Hikes because it was fun for me to learn about forest creatures and plants.” – Olivia (Grade 6)
“I enjoyed taking the younger kids for a hike and showing them things about nature and animals habitats.” – Irene (Grade 5)
“I enjoyed helping the younger kids admire the forest of their own school.” – Trinity (Grade 7)
“I learned a lot. I was not on EcoSchools team last year, but my Grade 3 class went on one of the nature hikes. Now I joined the team.” – Alissa (Grade 4)
What do you plan to do with the prize money?
With the prize money from the EcoAction Challenge, we have created our very own ‘EcoTeach’ Nature Backpacks. The idea for the backpacks is that we will make the backpacks available for teachers: they can pick up a backpack from the teacher’s workroom and head for the great outdoors.
Our student leaders brainstormed ideas for the backpacks, and also brainstormed the items we would need to purchase. We want to provide hands-on materials, and curriculum connections. At this point, we have created six backpacks – Let’s Explore Birds, Let’s Explore Insects, Let’s Explore Trees, Let’s Explore Forests, Let’s Explore Soil, and Let’s Explore Habitats.
This year’s EcoAction Challenge will take place from May 16-20th 2016. Registration launches early March 2016! Check out the gallery for ideas from last year, and stay tuned to our website for more details.
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