Global Citizenship blog

Global Citizenship

All posts in the ‘biodiversity’ Category

January 27th, 2012

Whitelees Primary School - Open Day

imenzies
Comments: none Tags: Tags: , , , , , , ,
 : 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 20th February 2012

Theme: Sustainable Development Education

This event was originally due to take place on 8th December 2011 but had to be cancelled due to the severe storms. It has now been rescheduled for Monday 20th 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: [email protected] or Tel. 0141 282 5172.

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

More
December 9th, 2011

SEweb - Scotland’s Environment Website

imenzies
Comments: none Tags: Tags: , , , , , , ,
 : Categories ICT, biodiversity, community, outdoor learning, sciences, scottish culture, social studies, sustainable development, technologies

For the first time, everything you want to know about Scotland’s environment will now be available at the touch of a button on a new website provided by Scotland’s key environment and health agencies.

Scotland’s Environment Web – named SEweb – aims to be the gateway to everything you want to know about Scotland’s environment. This three year project, supported by funding from the European Union, will put Scotland at the global forefront of sharing environmental information, prioritising problems and involving citizens in assessing and improving their own environment.

Features of SEweb will include:

  • All information available from the one source
  • Direct link to individual partner agencies, making it easy to navigate through information
  • An Online Library containing all partner agency official reports and publications
  • ‘Citizen Science’ to allow individual to interact with SEweb (coming in 2012)

Visit the website at: http://www.environment.scotland.gov.uk/default.aspx

More
December 9th, 2011

Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable World

imenzies
Comments: none Tags: Tags: ,
 : Categories CPD, biodiversity, citizenship, community, outdoor learning, sustainable development

Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future is a multimedia teacher education programme published by UNESCO. It contains 100 hours (divided into 27 modules) of professional development for use in pre-service teacher courses as well as the in-service education of teachers, curriculum developers, education policy makers, and authors of educational materials.

There are over 60 million teachers in the world. Each one is a key agent for bringing about the changes in values and lifestyles we need. Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future will enable teachers to plan learning experiences that empower their students to work creatively with others to help bring their visions of a better world into effect.

Find out more about the programme.

Download resources and modules.

More
November 18th, 2011

Crofting Connections

imenzies
Comments: none Tags: Tags: , , , ,
 : Categories biodiversity, community, creativity, curriculum areas, expressive arts, health and wellbeing, homecoming, languages, mathematics, outdoor learning, primary schools, religious and moral education, renewables and climate change, sciences, scottish culture, secondary schools, sharing practice, social studies, sustainable development, technologies

Crofting Connections is a 3-year long educational project which started in August 2009. It aims to enable over 1,200 young people aged 5 to 16 living in remote rural communities throughout the Highlands & Islands to learn about crofting past, present and future.

It is funded by HLF, SNH, LEADER, HIE and the Craignish Trust.

Its key outcomes for young people are for an increased:

  • desire to live and work in their crofting communities.
  • ability to keep crofting alive in the 21st century for the benefit of rural communities and the environment.
  • development of Curriculum for Excellence‟ four capacities – successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.
  • understanding of the need for locally produced, environmentally-friendly and healthy food based on low carbon principles.

The lead partners in the project are Soil Association Scotland and the Scottish Crofting Federation. To read more about this exciting project an about the impact it has had on learning teaching then download the Interim Report (you will need a Glow password to access this link).

More
November 8th, 2011

Pupils urged to get creative for conservation

imenzies
Comments: none Tags: Tags:
 : Categories biodiversity, outdoor learning, scottish culture, sustainable development

http://www.nts.org.uk/designcompetition

Conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland is asking secondary schools pupils to design an interactive, environmentally-themed game to take out on the road next summer.

The Trust launched its competition at Ben Lomond near Drymen, Scotland’s most southerly Munro. Ben Lomond is one of the most popular mountains in Scotland, with around 30,000 walkers of all ages visiting it each year. Helping Trust staff at the launch were pupils from Drymen Primary, who were photographed doing their best to try and figure out some initial ideas.

The Ben Lomond Design Competition challenges teams of pupils to invent a portable, interactive game which is easy to set up and explain, is fun for all ages and which highlights how we need to conserve our environment.

The Trust hopes that the new family activity will raise awareness of its work to care for Scotland’s countryside and wildlife.

There are a range of prizes on offer, including Amazon vouchers for school equipment, iTunes vouchers and of course, the winning entry will be used week-in week-out by the Ben Lomond team on their travels.

For full information and an entry pack visit: http://www.nts.org.uk/designcompetition

More
November 7th, 2011

Dynamic Youth Awards and Eco-Schools

imenzies
Comments: none Tags: Tags: ,
 : Categories biodiversity, community, outdoor learning, renewables and climate change, sustainable development

Accrediting the achievements of individual Eco Committee members

Youth Scotland have worked together with Eco-Schools Scotland to produce a booklet designed to support members of a school’s Eco Committee to receive accreditation for their individual achievements. Young people complete the relevant sections of their booklet as they work through the Eco-Schools programme. The booklet has two aims: (1) to support young people to collect evidence which will be used for them to gain a Dynamic Youth Award, and (2) to strengthen the Eco Committee’s work towards Eco-Schools’ targets. The individuals receive a Dynamic Youth Award, which recognises the responsibility level they took as well as their achievements.

Schools wishing to use the booklets should email: [email protected]. There is further information at: http://www.youthscotland.org.uk/projects/dynamic-youth/understanding-the-award/eco-committees.htm

More
October 18th, 2011

Forest Pitch - Meet the artist in a Glowing Thursday!

mfarrell
Comments: none Tags:  : Categories biodiversity, citizenship, commonwealth, community, creativity, curriculum areas, expressive arts, games and sport, health and wellbeing, international, primary schools, sciences, scottish culture, social studies, sustainable development

Glowing Thursday 10th November 2011

Forest Pitch – football strip design competition!

Meet the artist!

Join us on 10th November at 11am on Glow TV!

An opportunity to meet Scottish artist Craig Coulthard, creator of the highly innovative art project Forest Pitch. Funded by Creative Scotland and part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, Forest Pitch will culminate in two football matches between amateur players who have recently taken up British citizenship. At the Scottish Learning Festival in September this year Craig launched a football strip design competition for primary age children to come up with exciting and innovative designs for the football strips that the players will wear.

As an arts project, Forest Pitch encourages debate about national identity, citizenship, the natural world, sustainability and participation in sport.

If you have already signed up for the competition or are thinking about doing so, then join us for this exciting Glowing Thursday to find out more and get some artist’s tips and advice.

Find out more about the competition, sign up and download the design brief and support materials here

And don’t forget - taking part in this competition is a great way of demonstrating a commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic values and joining the London 2012 Get Set Network. Do this before 16th December and qualify for FREE tickets for the Olympics! Find out more >>

More
October 18th, 2011

Open Day CPD event - Hamilton Grammar School

mfarrell
Comments: none Tags:  : Categories CPD, biodiversity, citizenship, community, curriculum areas, international, outdoor learning, secondary schools, sharing practice, sustainable development

Date and time: 9:30am – 3.30pm, Tuesday 22 November 2011

Theme: An integrated approach to global citizenship

Who should attend: teachers, principal teachers, curriculum leaders and senior managers; those leading, or seeking to lead a whole school global citizenship initiative; co-ordinators for global citizenship, sustainable development education and international education in schools or local authorities.

This CPD event offers practitioners and school leaders an opportunity to visit Hamilton Grammar. Now onto its 4th Eco Schools Green Flag Award, the school is an inspiring example of the way in which global citizenship can be embedded in the curriculum in a secondary context in a sustained way.

From small beginnings over the past ten years Hamilton Grammar School has developed, and continues to push forward, its World View agenda. With its roots in environmental education, the school’s World View now encompasses health promotion, international education, citizenship and enterprise. The World View agenda occupies a significant place in the school’s improvement plan and is integral to the way it is taking forward Curriculum for Excellence. Activities involved in this ambitious agenda have helped the school

  • develop pupil voice;
  • provide opportunities for interdisciplinary learning;
  • provide a richer learning experience for pupils through active learning and the development of outdoor learning spaces in and adjacent to the school grounds;
  • led to opportunities for wider achievement, at whole school, stage and individual levels, for example, through the John Muir Award for S1 pupils.

The aim of the event is to identify and share the practical lessons and ideas that have helped the school move forward in its journey towards a whole school approach to global citizenship within Curriculum for Excellence – and also to reflect on the challenges encountered along the way. Fundamental to the event will be the professional dialogue and exchange of ideas that takes place on the day, enabling participants to network, reflect on their own practice and develop intentions for improvement in their own context. With this in mind, participants are encouraged to join the Leadership of Global Citizenship online community and share their reflections - although this is not compulsory!

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

How to book

To book, please email: [email protected] or Tel. 0141 282 5172.

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

Download the Programme here

Follow this link to take part in the optional reflection activities

This is one of a series of open day events organised by Education Scotland’s Developing Global Citizenship Team. View the full programme of open day events here>>

More
October 13th, 2011

Open day CPD event - Garrowhill Primary School, Glasgow

imenzies
Comments: none Tags: Tags: , , , , , , , ,
 : Categories CPD, biodiversity, citizenship, community, outdoor learning, primary schools, renewables and climate change, sharing practice, sustainable development

Date and time: 9:30am – 3.00pm, Tuesday 29 November 2011

Theme: Sustainable Development Education

This CPD event offers practitioners and school leaders a wonderful opportunity to visit Garrowhill Primary School – winner of the ‘Sustainable school’ category in this year’s Scottish Education Awards.

Garrowhill Primary is an inspiring example of a school that has adopted a whole school approach to sustainable development education. The secret to the school’s success has been the embedding of sustainability across the curriculum which has had a demonstrable impact on every classroom and learner. This has been driven forward by strong distributed leadership and a positive, caring ethos which permeates the school.

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 the most of the curriculum to provide momentum and sustain programmes
  • A strong focus on pupil voice to lead learning and activities
  • The effective use of programmes such as Eco-Schools, Fairtrade Schools and the John Muir Award to support learning and teaching
  • Extensive partnerships with the local community to transform the school’s ageing buildings and grounds through the development of an outdoor classroom, wildlife area and vegetable garden which are regularly used for curricular activities
  • The reduction in the school’s energy consumption by 30% through sustained commitment.

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

How to book

To book, please email: [email protected] or Tel. 0141 282 5172.

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

Download programme by clicking on the link below

Garrowhill PS Open Day 29 Nov 11

This is one of a series of open day events organised by Education Scotland’s Developing Global Citizenship Team. View the full programme of open day events here>>

More
October 12th, 2011

School Open Day Event: Woodacre Nursery School, Glasgow City, 18 November 2011

kmayer
Comments: none Tags: Tags: , , ,
 : Categories CPD, biodiversity, citizenship, community, early years, europe, international, outdoor learning, sharing practice, sustainable development

Time: 9:30am – 3.00pm

Theme: International and citizenship education within Early Years

Woodacre Nursery invites practitioners to visit the school and find out about their dynamic international education programme gaining them full International Schools Award, Green Flag status and the ‘Trades House Citizenship Award’. The nursery school has been involved in Global Citizenship Education for the last 6 years embedding many initiatives related to this theme into their curriculum.

Key themes of the day will be a presentation on e-twinning programmes, the school’s transformative Comenius project involving 5 other European countries and the effective use of Glow to deepen international links.

The programme will also include:

  • A live Glow meet with a nursery in Iceland
  • A visit of the garden and recycling projects
  • Latest information on international programmes by the British Council
  • A presentation by the ‘Glasgow City Council Community Action Team’
  • A presentation of partnership working with parents and local community groups as key drivers to advance the nursery’s eco schools programme.

Participants will also have an opportunity for professional dialogue and the exchange of ideas on the day.

Flyer and Programme: Woodacre Nursery Open day, 18 Nov 11

How to book

To book, please email: [email protected] or Phone 0141 282 5172.

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

This is one of a series of open day events organised by Education Scotland’s Developing Global Citizenship Team. View the full programme of open day events here>>

More
« Older Entries | Newer Entries »

About This Blog

This blog contains ideas, resources and information to support global citizenship activities in schools - including international, sustainable development and citizenship education and also games legacy.