Global Citizenship

February 20th, 2012

Food and Global Citizenship

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags:  : Categories health and wellbeing, international

Food – Something everyone has an interest in, and a great subject for some innovative thinking about education for Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development. Issues like food poverty and food justice can be discussed and understood by young people alongside their learning about Health and Well-being and ethical decision-making.

Here are some current programmes and initiatives which teachers can adopt, use and work with to help address Food issues in the classroom:

Oxfam has resources and background material about food justice, such as its report ”Growing a better future“, and the charity is also running its ‘GROW’ campaign to work for improvements in global systems of land ownership, agricultural use, trade, etc.

The ‘School of Fish’ programme, supported by Marks and Spencer, is a fun resource for Primary schools with material aimed at both teachers and pupils. It supports learning about the place of Fish in a healthy diet and also deals with marine conservation issues. There are facts, games, videos and ’codcasts’ (great name),  intended to get children thinking about the marine environment and eating fish. Schools can get a pack posted to them which contains more material such as magazines and stickers.

And finally, the Big Lunch and a competition with breadmaker Kingsmill. The Big Lunch will be held on Sunday 3rd June and this year will form part of national celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The website describes many of the activities taking place around the UK and offers ideas for more. Kingsmill is one of the companies partnering and supporting this nationwide event, and offers recipes for street parties, information about nutrition, etc. Downloadable resources are available for local organisers. A Fun Lunch Competition for primary schools invites children to ‘Design your Dream Sandwich’, and the winning entries will feature in a downloadable recipe book. The overall winner will receive a toy store voucher, chefs outfits and a Big Lunch for their own street. – So here you could have some discussion about food types and nutrition, healthy eating, food sources and the concept of ‘food miles’, sustainable farming, etc.

Eat well!

February 20th, 2012

Fairtrade fortnight

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags: Tags: Fairtrade
 : Categories africa, citizenship, commonwealth, health and wellbeing, international, religious and moral education

Fairtrade Fortnight starts on 27th February 2012 and runs until 11th March. As usual, hundreds of Scottish schools and community groups will be involved in local efforts to change attitudes and behaviour and establish Scotland as a Fairtrade nation.

The Fairtrade Foundation’s campaign focus this year is ‘Take a Step in 2012′. Their website provides background information about the inequalities of world trade, the difference a fair deal for producers can make, and some ideas for action. An interactive map displays some of the local projects and events taking part.

Many charities will be contributing to the overall campaign in their own ways, offering extra opportunities for schools and learners to engage with Fairtrade. For example, Tradecraft is encouraging local people to host a Big Brew event in their own area, and provides resources for schools and organisers to help them set things up.

Oxfam has resources which enable teachers to cover the issue of Trade as part of their Global Citizenship teaching. The SCIAF Youth website also has material to support young people thinking about this key issue.

If your school comes up with an innovative way of promoting fairtrade, let us know. globalcitizens@educationscotland.gov.uk

February 9th, 2012

Developing global citizens through sciences, social studies and technologies

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: climate and energy, CPD, events, resources
 : Categories CPD, creativity, curriculum areas, expressive arts, mathematics, renewables and climate change, sciences, secondary schools, sharing practice, social studies, sustainable development, technologies

Developing global citizens through sciences, social studies and technologies

Interdisciplinary learning for a low carbon and zero waste future

CDP event for practitioners in secondary schools

Menzies Hotel, Washington Street, Glasgow G3 8AZ

9:30am to 3:30pm, Friday 30th March 2012

Target audience: Practitioners, Principal Teachers and Faculty Heads of Technologies (e.g. CDT, Food and Textiles, Business and Enterprise), Sciences and Social Studies. Also local authority coordinators and QIOs.

Aim of the event:

This CPD event provides an exciting opportunity for secondary school practitioners to discover how cradle to cradle technologies and a circular economy can be used as a rich and stimulating context for interdisciplinary learning relating to sustainable development education and global citizenship within Curriculum for Excellence.

The Scottish Government is committed to a low-carbon and zero-waste economy, and the development of enterprise, creativity, STEM (Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Maths) and higher order thinking skills in young people are essential if we are to realise these ambitious plans for the future. The circular economy concept proposes the use of sustainable technologies, innovative design and production methods and systems thinking to minimise waste and reduce the exploitation of the Earth’s precious resources. This event will draw on practical and exciting developments within industry which are set to transform the way our economy operates in the decades ahead.

Education Scotland is working in partnership with The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the University of Edinburgh to develop strategies for professional development around sustainable development education and the circular economy to encourage the setting up of communities of practice among practitioners in Scotland. These will provide opportunities for ongoing, localised support and collaboration.

To find out more about the circular economy visit:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCRKvDyyHmI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

How to book

To book, please email: globalcitizens@educationscotland.gov.uk or Tel. 0141 282 5172. Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. This is a free event!

Download CPD event flyer and programme >>

February 9th, 2012

Falkirk Council DGC Showcase and open day at Bo’ness Academy

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: CPD, europe, events, modern languages, school improvement
 : Categories CPD, Uncategorized, china, citizenship, curriculum areas, early years, europe, expressive arts, health and wellbeing, international, languages, leadership, mathematics, modern languages, primary schools, religious and moral education, sciences, secondary schools, sharing practice, social studies, sustainable development, technologies

Falkirk Council global citizenship showcase and school open day

Venue: Bo’ness Academy, Falkirk

9:30am – 3.00pm

Thursday 1^st March 2012

Theme:  International Education

This CPD event offers practitioners and school leaders an exciting opportunity to visit Bo’ness Academy and attend Falkirk Council’s Global Citizenship Showcase Event.

Bo’ness Academy is an inspiring example of a school that has used international education as a vehicle to engage the whole school in global citizenship activities. Through the Comenius Programme and other well established links the school has developed a rich international programme connecting it to countries across the world including: The Gambia, The Netherlands, China, France, Germany and The Czech Republic.

A focus of the event will be to identify and share the practical lessons and ideas that have helped the school move forward on its journey including: 

• Making global citizenship a key priority in the school and a focus for the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence
• Using international links to explore important issues in a global context and to create engaging, meaningful and challenging learning experiences
• Developing strong international partnerships which can be sustained and which have made an impact on every learner.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet and talk with the Head Teacher, International Coordinator, staff and learners and also tour the classrooms and school. Time will also be set aside for participants to reflect and share their own experiences.

Following the open day event, participants will also have the opportunity to attend Falkirk Council’s Global Citizenship Showcase event which will also be taking place in Bo’ness Academy from 4pm – 6pm. This will feature exhibitions and displays from leading organisations such as Eco-Schools Scotland and the British Council and will showcase innovative global citizenship practice from many Falkirk schools.

How to book

To book, please contact Megan Farr, Policy Officer, Falkirk Council. Email: megan.farr@falkirk.gov.uk or Tel. 01324 506671.

Places for the open day section of the event are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. This is a free event!

Download programme for Bo’ness Academy Open Day >>

February 6th, 2012

UNESCO – Art Contest: Youth, Skills and Work

kmayer

Comments: none Tags: Tags: competition
 : Categories citizenship, creativity, expressive arts

What skills do we need to create a better future?

 Young people (18 – 24 years old) are invited to express their views creatively on education and the ways in which it provides them with the necessary opportunities and skills for life to participate successfully as global citizens in creating a thriving future.

 Design brief:

The submission may be artwork of any size (between A5 and A3 or equivalent). Submissions can be in the form of photos, drawings, paintings, computer-generated images etc. Submissions can be in electronic format or on paper. Each artwork should be accompanied by a short artist biography and description of the work in relation to the theme of the contest. If electronic files only are submitted, a high-definition version (in PDF or JPEG) is required. We would prefer the artwork to be accompanied by a standard to high-resolution PDF file in A4 format for viewing by the jury.

Submission deadline:  1 April 2012

For more information visit EFA Global Monitoring Report

February 3rd, 2012

SCIPD Group Study Visit to the Netherlands

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: climate and energy, CPD, enterprise, europe, events, research
 : Categories creativity, europe, international, mathematics, renewables and climate change, sciences, secondary schools, sharing practice, social studies, sustainable development, technologies

SCIPD Group Study Visit to the Netherlands

6th  – 10th March 2012

Theme: The Circular Economy – Sustainable technologies, design, economics and production for the 21st century

Education Scotland is inviting applications from secondary teaching staff for a group study visit to ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands to investigate how cradle to cradle technologies and a circular economy can be used as a rich and stimulating context for interdisciplinary learning relating to sustainable development education and global citizenship. This visit has been arranged in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

The Scottish Government is committed to a low-carbon and zero-waste economy, and it is important to develop enterprise, creativity and STEM (Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Maths) skills in young people to ensure the realisation of these ambitious plans for the future. The circular economy concept proposes the use of sustainable technologies and innovative design and production methods that minimise waste and reduce the exploitation of the earth’s precious resources. Industrial companies in the Netherlands are at the forefront of developing products that mimic natural processes and that are designed for disassembly and reuse.

Education Scotland, in collaboration with The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, is developing strategies for professional development around sustainable development education and the circular economy to encourage the setting up of communities of practice among practitioners in Scotland. These will provide opportunities for ongoing, localised support and collaboration as recommended by Teaching Scotland’s Future. 

It is expected that the visit to the Netherlands will include:

-       Orientation sessions with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the Dutch curriculum agency SLO, to introduce participants to the model of the circular economy and brief them on the structure of the Dutch school system and curriculum

-       Visits to businesses which have adopted cutting-edge approaches to circular economy principles

-       Visits to schools to see how learning relating to the circular economy is being used as a theme for interdisciplinary learning around sustainability

Travel to the Netherlands will be on Tuesday 6th March, with three working days in the area, followed by return to Scotland on Saturday 10th March.

SCIPD funding will cover return flights to the Netherlands, airport to hotel transfers, and overnight hotel accommodation in ‘s-Hertogenbosch on a bed and breakfast basis.

Participants will be offered a pre-visit preparatory meeting, and a post-visit meeting to support follow-up activity and encourage wider impact.

This study visit is targeted at education professionals in Scottish secondary schools, particularly teachers of sciences, technologies, mathematics, business studies, economics and geography.

Expected learning outcomes

Participants will have an opportunity to:

• Increase their knowledge of the circular economy concept, its implementation in industry, and its impact on education for sustainability
• Investigate and discuss Dutch educational practice for sustainable development and its place in the curriculum
• Share professional dialogue and reflection with their hosts and with colleagues in the group

 Upon returning from the study visit, participants will be expected to:

• produce reports for Education Scotland which demonstrate the impact on their professional practice of the study visit experience
• disseminate findings, share ideas and new approaches within their own establishment and beyond
• make changes to learning and teaching practices in their own professional context.

Applicants may wish to use the experience of the study visit towards professional recognition by GTCS or simply to enhance their professional understanding and practice.

 Applications are invited from suitably qualified members of Scottish school or authority staff, who should complete the Netherlands group application form available below or from Nick Morgan at nick.morgan@educationscotland.gov.uk

 The closing date for applications is Tuesday 21st Feb 2012

SCIPD Netherlands application form

February 3rd, 2012

Marine Science Glow meet – a fun and quirky look at life in our seas and oceans

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: events, food, nature, water
 : Categories biodiversity, sciences, sustainable development

Marine Scotland Science GLOW Meet

Everything you ever wanted to know about the marine environment but were too scared to ask….

 11am – 12pm, Thursday 23 February 2012

Why are fish slimy? What is the weirdest sea creature? Which sea dad gives birth through its mouth? What yukky substance from the sea is used in lipstick?

Around one fifth of Scotland’s population live within a kilometre of the sea and our marine environment is one of the most diverse in the world – supporting over 48,000 species. Despite its importance in terms of our economy and biodiversity, we still know very little about marine life and the oceans remain one of the Earth’s last unexplored frontiers.

Join this interactive Glow meet for a whacky, fun and informative look at the science of our oceans and seas. This Glow meet will be aimed at learners in primary schools.  The school submitting the best questions during the Glow meet will win a visit by the Edinburgh Science Festival Marine Detectives Workshop, complete with rock pool and live creatures.

Visit http://bit.ly/marineglowtv to register and join the Glow meet on the day. Further resources about the marine environment are available on Glow at: http://bit.ly/marineresources

January 30th, 2012

‘Learner Voice’ and ‘Pupil Participation’ Conference – 23 March 2012

kmayer

Comments: none Tags: Tags: debating, democracy, learner voice
 : Categories citizenship, curriculum areas, international, learner voice, sharing practice

Education Scotland invites practitioners interested in developing ‘pupil participation’ and ‘learner voice’ within their classroom, school and local authorities to attend a national conference in Edinburgh on Friday, 23 March.

The event will provide practitioners with a number of dynamic addresses and interactive workshops presenting successful initiatives of creating, developing and sustaining a pupil centred and paticipatory learning environment.  The key note address will be delivered by Tam Baillie,  Scotland’s  Commissioner for Children and Young People.

If you wish to pre-rigster for this event please email:  globalcitizens@educationscotland.gov.uk

January 30th, 2012

Holocaust remembrance in Scotland

nickmorgan

Comments: none Tags: Tags: holocaust education
 : Categories citizenship, international, religious and moral education, social studies

Last week we commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day 2012 with events all over the country in communities and schools. This annual occasion is an opportunity to remember those who died in the Holocaust of World War 2 and in the genocides since, and to challenge the prejudice and discrimination which can lead to such horrors.

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust  (HMDT) takes a lead in facilitating such commemoration, and it picked the theme of ‘Speak Up, Speak Out’ for its 2012 campaign. It created education resources and material to help local organisers such as teachers and librarians to create activities which increased public participation.

Each year in Scotland one local authority hosts a national event. In 2012 Dundee City Council took the lead, working with partners such as the Scottish Inter Faith Council, HMDT, and the Anne Frank Trust. The event included participation by John Swinney MSP on behalf of Scottish Government, a local disabled dance group, students from Dundee schools, and visiting speakers from Denmark, Japan and Canada. A unique element of the evening was focused around ‘Inside Hana’s Suitcase’, the story of one victim of the Nazis, her family and how a suitcase stimulated learning about the Holocaust in many countries.

Two Grove Academy students presented personal views of the impact of their participation in the ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ programme managed by the  Holocaust Education Trust. The Scottish Government recently confirmed that it will continue its support for this programme for another year, enabling more Scottish school students to learn from the experience.

In East Renfrewshire students from all the local secondary schools were involved in a commemorative event at Eastwood Theatre, covered by one of  the local newspapers.

In Edinburgh the public library service launched its Ernest Levy archive at an event hosted by Portobello High School. Ernest Levy was a Holocaust survivor who made his home in East Renfrewshire and then dedicated a great deal of time to working with schools to spread a message of tolerance and respect.

January 27th, 2012

Whitelees Primary School – Open Day

imenzies

Comments: none Tags: Tags: climate and energy, CPD, enterprise, events, Fairtrade, learner voice, nature, school improvement
 : Categories CPD, biodiversity, citizenship, community, curriculum areas, learner voice, outdoor learning, primary schools, renewables and climate change, sharing practice, sustainable development

School open day

Whitelees Primary School, North Lanarkshire Council

9:30am – 3.00pm, Monday 20^th February 2012

Theme:  Sustainable Development Education

This event was originally due to take place on 8^th December 2011 but had to be cancelled due to the severe storms. It has now been rescheduled for Monday 20^th February 2012.

Whitelees Primary School hit the headlines in 2011 when it became the first primary school to be awarded five ‘excellent’ grades by the school inspectors.  This isn’t the first time their achievements have made news. The school’s accolades and awards include:

• Finalist, Scottish Education Awards – Sustainable School category (2011)
• Best Green School Award (2009)
• Winner,  Scottish Education Awards – Best Enterprise category (2008)
• Four Green Flags, Eco-Schools Scotland.

A key factor in the school’s success has been the way it has placed global citizenship and sustainable development education at the heart of the curriculum to provide exciting, relevant and engaging contexts for learning. This has helped to create, ‘Highly motivated, confident and ambitious children who are keen to learn and to make a difference in school and the wider community.’

This CPD event offers practitioners and school leaders from across Scotland the chance to visit Whitelees Primary School to meet with the Head Teacher, staff and learners and also tour the classrooms, buildings and grounds. A focus of the event will be to identify and share the practical lessons and ideas that have helped the school develop a successful whole school approach to sustainability and global citizenship including: 

• A sustained commitment to pupil voice with learners being given real opportunities to shape the curriculum and school decision making
• Effective use of the school grounds, nature and vegetable gardens to support outdoor learning and deliver the curriculum
• The inspiring pupil rock band which has achieved notable success through their songs about fair trade and climate change.

Those participating in the open day will also have time to reflect and share their own experiences. 

Click here to download programme for open day

How to book

To book, please email: globalcitizens@educationscotland.gov.uk or Tel. 0141 282 5172.

Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. This is a free event!