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Concordia students go green
By Martin Holbery |
April 29, 2013, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AT Concordia International School Shanghai, everyday culture embraces processes that take environmental responsibility into account.
The incorporation of reclaimed and sustainable building materials in construction projects, a geothermal exchange system for heating and cooling, wind-turbine electricity generation, green roofs and walls around campus, paper and plastic recycling, garden-beds and water-saving faucet sensors all speak to our eco-commitment. These everyday, eco-friendly practices help motivate students through example, and encourage teachers to continually explore ways to honor their educational role as advocates for eco-responsibility. One example of this exploration is the Garden-bed Project launched by our preschool at the beginning of the school year.
The preschool team introduced the project to serve a variety of student learning objectives and to teach important lessons about the environment. As a preschool teacher, I am inspired by educator David Sobel, who says, "If we want children to flourish … we need to give them time to connect with nature and to love the Earth … before we ask them to save it." With this hands-on approach at the heart of the initiative, the Garden-bed Project unfolded.
The 10 garden-beds allow all students from preschool to Grade 12 to "get their hands dirty" and develop an appreciation and love for the Earth. Each of the garden-beds purposefully contains soil with different compositions, including commercial potting mix, organically sourced soil and even soil from our campus.
With many "dirty hands" involved in the management of the garden-beds, our students are engaged in collaborative and experiential learning across a range of ages, all while developing an appreciation for our Earth. Making the learning even sweeter, students have been able to enjoy a glass of mint iced-tea, or salads made from our school-grown vegetables.
The Garden-bed Project has taught us that eco-responsibility can be promoted through engaging activities for younger and older students. It can move us from ignorance to understanding, from consumption to production, and perhaps most importantly, from a state of disconnection, to one of connection with nature and with others in our community.
The incorporation of reclaimed and sustainable building materials in construction projects, a geothermal exchange system for heating and cooling, wind-turbine electricity generation, green roofs and walls around campus, paper and plastic recycling, garden-beds and water-saving faucet sensors all speak to our eco-commitment. These everyday, eco-friendly practices help motivate students through example, and encourage teachers to continually explore ways to honor their educational role as advocates for eco-responsibility. One example of this exploration is the Garden-bed Project launched by our preschool at the beginning of the school year.
The preschool team introduced the project to serve a variety of student learning objectives and to teach important lessons about the environment. As a preschool teacher, I am inspired by educator David Sobel, who says, "If we want children to flourish … we need to give them time to connect with nature and to love the Earth … before we ask them to save it." With this hands-on approach at the heart of the initiative, the Garden-bed Project unfolded.
The 10 garden-beds allow all students from preschool to Grade 12 to "get their hands dirty" and develop an appreciation and love for the Earth. Each of the garden-beds purposefully contains soil with different compositions, including commercial potting mix, organically sourced soil and even soil from our campus.
With many "dirty hands" involved in the management of the garden-beds, our students are engaged in collaborative and experiential learning across a range of ages, all while developing an appreciation for our Earth. Making the learning even sweeter, students have been able to enjoy a glass of mint iced-tea, or salads made from our school-grown vegetables.
The Garden-bed Project has taught us that eco-responsibility can be promoted through engaging activities for younger and older students. It can move us from ignorance to understanding, from consumption to production, and perhaps most importantly, from a state of disconnection, to one of connection with nature and with others in our community.
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