Environmental Educators ACT August news

 

Welcome to the August issue of The Australian Association for Environmental Education ACT Branch news!  We celebrated NAIDOC week by reviewing our Acknowledgement to Country with very interesting discussions about what this really means for us as people who live and work in this beautiful country. A group of us also were deeply inspired by Horizon, the Bangarra Dance Theatre’s magnificent production that explored the journeys made using the vast celestial navigation systems to ocean currents that carried generations of people across the Oceania region. The fascinating dances reflected many journeys and coming together of cultures across time.

New Acknowledgement of Country This has been an important journey, researching other organisations' Acknowledgement of Country including The Dept of Education, ORB, CCACT, ACTCOSS, UC, ANU, Federal Parliament, ACT Legislative Assembly and ACT Dept Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development.  We would like to acknowledge this ancient Country, with powerful mountains and waterways integral to the life and spirit of Canberra. We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of this landscape and recognise any other peoples and families with connection to these lands and region. We acknowledge the Indigenous knowledge holders both past and present whose ongoing guidance helps ensure healthy relationships between Country and humans; may we, as Environmental Educators, learn from them to help us deepen our connection with Country.

ARE YOU OUR NEXT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR? ACT Emerging and Environmental Educator of the Year Awards 2024. Nominate yourself or an exemplary or budding ACT educator colleague, from a project, school, early childhood service or organisation doing excellent environmental education (EE) and/or education for sustainability (EfS). There are two categories for the ACT 2024 awards:  1. Environmental Educator of the Year - open to all current financial members of AAEE - 2. Emerging Environmental Educator of the Year - open to community educators with 5 years or less experience (AAEE membership is preferable but not required) Learn more HERE Entries closing August 16th

EVENTS

The school theme for National Science Week in 2024 is Species Survival - More than just sustainability. The theme aims to highlight the importance of science and innovation in ensuring the survival and thriving of different species in an ever-changing world. Find events - https://www.scienceweek.net.au/your-state/act/ Teaching Resource Book Download the free Species Survival teacher resource book (17.5 MB, pdf) and the companion student journal (4.8MB, pdf). There is also a flipbook version of the resource book. A listing of the web links in the book is also available if you are using a printed copy of the book. Learn More HERE

Book HERE Introduction to Composting + Worm Farming Wednesday, 14 August 2024 6:00 pm  7:00 pm Bring along all of your composting and worm farming questions. In this free online session, we’ll cover the basics of composting and worm farming, answer all your questions, and troubleshoot any compost problems you might have. We want to bust common composting myths and make it as easy for you to compost as possible. Please bring along your questions and curiosity!

Visit to the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize  When? August 18th, 12pm —3pm for lunch and viewing of exhibition. Where? National Archives, Kings Avenue, Parkes ACT Why? Members have requested more face-to-face networking with other like-minded environmental educators https://www.naa.gov.au/visit-us/events-and-exhibitions/waterhouse-natural-science-art-prize Register aaeeact@gmail.com by 9thAugust, as table must be booked. Organiser -Viv Pearce

This Climate Essentials for Educators professional short course has been designed for teachers, principals, school administrators, education designers and education policymakers who seek an overview of the latest science, developments and innovative solutions relating to climate change for translation into classrooms.The course supports educators to increase their knowledge of climate science and solutions for the purpose of classroom learning. It covers the science of climate change and latest projections, ways that climate evidence and misinformation can be communicated and addressed, the social justice and cultural dimensions of climate knowledge, innovative climate adaptation and mitigation solutions, and student and teacher wellbeing when communicating on these issues. Book HERE

This survey is designed to collect data regarding the current state of climate change education in Australia. We also invite your thoughts on what is needed to continue and further develop climate change education in all education jurisdictions.  Your responses to the questions in the survey will be used to inform the Australian Climate Change Education Action Plan which will be negotiated and endorsed through a series of processes, culminating in the Australian Climate Change Education Summit in October 2024. Details are available here https://ccesummitaustralia.deakin.edu.au/.

GEOSCIENCE AUSTRALIA PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SERIES Geoscience Australia knows that helping teachers to better understand and teach the Earth sciences will lead to better experiences for budding science and geography students. Throughout the year Geoscience Australia hosts Earth science related programs and events for teachers. These initiatives focus on the skills and knowledge needed to teach geoscience topics within the Australian National Curriculum, with particular attention to engaging girls in STEM. Learn More HERE

Step into the spotlight at the Better Futures Forum (BFF) 2024 in Canberra, September 10th & 11th. Join industry leaders, policymakers, and community in shaping impactful climate policy and creating better, climate resilient futures. Immerse yourself in two  transformative days at the National Film and Sound Archive. Participate in cross-sectoral talks, strategic workshops, and meaningful cultural programs to drive ambitious, economy-wide action on climate change through purposeful networking.

SAVE the DATE! ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION NSW 2024 CONFERENCE Albury and Wagga Wagga   Wiradjuri Lands 9-12 October 2024 We invite you to join other environmental education leaders at the Environmental Education NSW Conference 2024, being hosted at Charles Sturt University, Albury campus in Wiradjuri Country. The campus provides the perfect setting to connect with each other in sustainably designed buildings with natural woodland and wetland areas, a community garden and walking tracks. Be inspired by stories of collaboration, empowerment and learning for change.Topics include wellbeing and resilience, agriculture as a climate and nature repair solution, social justice, designing learning for change and active hope. Book HERE

EVENTS Calendar August - October 2024 5-11 August National Landcare Week 10-18  August National Science Week ACT events 7-13 August Keep Australia Beautiful Week 9 August International Day of the World’s Indigenous People 1-30 September Biodiversity Month 1-30 September Save the Koala Month 7 September Threatened Species Day 16-22 September National Organic Week 10 September National Bilby Day 9-12 October, NSW Environmental Education Conference, Albury

Environmental Educators Midwinter news

Welcome to nearly Winter 2024!

Welcome to the midwinter issue of the Australian Association for Environmental Education ACT news!

What have you spotted in your garden or neighbourhood on the growing chilly days? We've many flocks of small birds flitting around the shrubs and trees: Fairy wrens, brilliant Diamond Firetails, Yellow rumped Thornbills and Silver eyes. The sounds of Black Cockatoos echo over the Molonglo Valley as they congregate on the Pine and Causarinas.

We begin each meeting sharing our nature observations to bring us into deper connection with awe and wonder for our place on Earth. Let's male time to nourish ourselves and enjoy the beauty of the cycles of nature.

Reflections on Autumn

Julie Armstrong, our President and 2023 ACT Environmental Educator had a very successful Learning Circle leading up to World Bee Day celebrations. 

Thanks to all who joined our Autumn Mingle event at the University of Canberra. It was so good to meet up and share how we are each working for Sustainability and our environment and to learn more about the positive health and learning benefits of nature connection. Julie's talk and slideshow on Forest Therapy was interesting and informative, some great educational resources were also shared on the night. 

Our Executive team have been engaged with several other events around Canberra. The 2024 Schools Climate Action Conference at UC was a highlight for Executive members Glenys Patulny and Viv Pearce who attended. On the day, High school and College students met face to face with local change makers , including politicians, academics, business people and community leaders: and discover how Canberra s taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a result of discussions and talk with experts present, students formulated real actions they could implement at their schools to reduce emissions. 

Glenys was involved i in the Tuggeranong Community Council Youth Forum with students from 7 high schools and colleges focussing on how the Environment and Sustainability is being taught at this level;

And further afield, past Vice President Julia Langford launched the Inaugural Nature Journaling conference in Brisbane. Julia is a passionate leader in this filed, bringing together suc an inspiring gathering and her commitment to combining Science and Art through Nature Journaling. We're looking forward to hearing more.