1. Sustainable Community Institutes:
Linking Education to Action
An Overview
A project of Learning for a Sustainable Future

2. Sustainability Challenges
Economic growth
& development
Material
consumption
& waste
production
Technological
change S
Redesigning
manufacturing& the economy
Driving
Forces
Globalization
”Smart”
Resource
Stewardship
Energy
Sources
and
Consumption
Civil Society
NGO’S
Business
Challenges
Changes
Transportation
Sustainable
Community
Population
growth and
movement
Educators
Loss of
biodiversity
& habitat
Students
Governance
Public
Policy
Choice
Makers
Urban
Infrastructure
& land use
Individuals
Government
Land & water
management
Food
Supply
Pollution
Public
Education
Inequity
Climate Change
Education &
new ideas /
paradigms

3. A belief: Sustainability Education is crucial to attaining that future
A future in which economic prosperity, social justice and protection of the natural environment are pursued simultaneously to secure good heath and enhance well-being for all people, now and for generations to come.
- Learning for a Sustainable Future
A belief:
Education is crucial to attaining that future

4. Institute Goals To develop leadership skills
To build partnerships for sustainability between schools, business and the community
To share local school, community, and corporate-based success stories and tools as they relate to the new curriculum

5. Institute Goals
To identify community service opportunities for high school students focused on building community sustainability
To develop and implement local sustainability activities and events which link schools to the broader community

6. Curriculum Connections
Courses:
civics
family studies
Canadian &
World Studies
science
English
culminating activity
subject integration

7. Institute Objectives 1. Understanding Sustainability
2. Celebrating Local Successes
3. Moving Toward Action
4. Motivating Action
5. Problem Solving
6. Action Planning

8. Institute Objectives: Day 1
1. Understanding Sustainability
2. Celebrating Local Successes
3. Moving Toward Action

9. Day 1

10. Day 1

11. Day 1

12. Skill- Building Workshops
Issue: Energy
Skill: Ecological Accounting
Interactive Component: Ecological Footprint

13. Professional Development Workshop For Teachers
Educators learn about tools and techniques that can be used to lead students through the development and implementation of action projects

14. Between Day 1 and Day 2 of the Institute…
Teachers and students will:
Identify and choose an issue
Undertake research and analysis
Action skill development
Brainstorm & select action
Identify Resources (including people resources to work with on Day 2)
Identify more students to attend
Start Getting Permission

15. Institute Objectives: Day 2
4. Motivating Action
5. Problem Solving
6. Action Planning

16. Day 2

17. Examples of Youth Achievement
Theatre Complete: A Focus Program offered by the Limestone District School Board
Students use popular theatre techniques to educate the public about a variety of social issues

18. Day 2

19. Day 2

20. Sample Action Projects From Previous Institutes
1. Manitoulin S.S. Courtyard Project
- Sudbury Institute
2. Blossom Park Public School
- Ottawa Institute

21. Why Take This Approach? Real life context
For Students:
Real life context
Learning arises out of student interest
Students drive their learning process
Students create a product or service of value

22. An informed, engaged, skilled and motivated citizenry
For Community:
An informed, engaged, skilled and motivated citizenry

23. Fulfill expectations from many subject areas simultaneously
For Teachers:
Fulfill expectations from many subject areas simultaneously
Increased student achievement on standardized tests (Lieberman & Hoody, 1998)
Few discipline problems
Increased engagement
Improved interpersonal skills
Revitalized teaching (Lieberman & Hoody, 1998)

24. What Students are Saying
Learned tons
Enjoyed learning and were excited
Reconnected to the land
Are more likely to take action on their own
Sense of achievement
Sense of hope

25. A Win - Win Solution Community and NGO’s need assistance
Businesses want to support youth and environment
Students want to make a difference
Teachers want to teach and support students in making a difference