Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard has invited all schools to participate in the proposed 2020 summit involving 1000 of Australia's best and brightest minds in April.
In a bid to tap into the minds of Australia's best and brightest students, Ms Gillard said she wanted all primary and secondary schools to host their own ideas summits. She said the schools summits would offer a unique opportunity for students throughout the country to make sure their views are heard on the 10 key themes of Australia 2020.
Each school will be able to hold their summit at a convenient time over a three-week period beginning March 17, with every school being encouraged to participate. Feedback from the schools summits will be collected and consolidated by the Federal Government, and will provide material for discussion at the youth summit, to be held on 12-13 April 08.
Register at:www.australia2020.gov.au
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
PCA National Schools Packaging Design Challenge
The Packaging Council of Australia (PCA), is running a national packaging design challenge to encourage innovative, functional and environmentally friendly approaches to modern packaging and consumer issues. Students from senor primary to Year 12 are encouraged to enter. Students and schools can win cash prizes, with the national winners also winning a trip to Melbourne to receive their prize at the 2008 Packaging Awards Presentation Dinner to be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel October 9. Registrations close in late April to late May depending on location. Please check closing dates for your state/territory closely to avoid missing out.
The PCA has been developing curriculum materials and supporting teachers to develop a comprehensive understanding and approach to packaging sustainability issues for the past three years. 2007 winning designs and competition video can be viewed at http://www.pca.org.au/awards07/schools/
For more information contact Prudence Frost E: prudence@pca.org.au or T: 03 9690 1955
Resources available from the PCA include:
The Pack pack – highly visual resource originally aimed at years 5-8. Currently being used by years 2-10 as a starting point for studying packaging issues. ($55) Also used as a reference for units of work in the Packaging Unwrapped series.
Packaging Unwrapped series – 4 titles each with 4 units of work covered for secondary students to Year 10.
Packaging Unwrapped – A Geography Perspective ($10)
Packaging Unwrapped – An Art, Design and Technology Perspective ($10)
Packaging Unwrapped – An ESL Perspective ($10)
Packaging Unwrapped – A Values Perspective ($10)
Packaging and Marketing Case Studies for Schools: 2.6 seconds to beat your competition – 18 case studies on packaging and its relationship to marketing strategies ($20)
All resources are only available from the Packaging Council of Australia. More information and order forms available on the website www.pca.org.au/education
The PCA has been developing curriculum materials and supporting teachers to develop a comprehensive understanding and approach to packaging sustainability issues for the past three years. 2007 winning designs and competition video can be viewed at http://www.pca.org.au/awards07/schools/
For more information contact Prudence Frost E: prudence@pca.org.au or T: 03 9690 1955
Resources available from the PCA include:
The Pack pack – highly visual resource originally aimed at years 5-8. Currently being used by years 2-10 as a starting point for studying packaging issues. ($55) Also used as a reference for units of work in the Packaging Unwrapped series.
Packaging Unwrapped series – 4 titles each with 4 units of work covered for secondary students to Year 10.
Packaging Unwrapped – A Geography Perspective ($10)
Packaging Unwrapped – An Art, Design and Technology Perspective ($10)
Packaging Unwrapped – An ESL Perspective ($10)
Packaging Unwrapped – A Values Perspective ($10)
Packaging and Marketing Case Studies for Schools: 2.6 seconds to beat your competition – 18 case studies on packaging and its relationship to marketing strategies ($20)
All resources are only available from the Packaging Council of Australia. More information and order forms available on the website www.pca.org.au/education
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
2008-09 EnvironmeNT Grants NOW OPEN
Yesterday the Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage announced the EnvironmeNT Grants 2008-09 was open and was even better with the addition of a wildlife specific category to complement categories focusing on the human impact on the environment. The amount up for grabs has also been increased to $560,000.
Grant types:
School project, individual project or operational funding.
Closing dates:
School
Two stage application process:
1. Expression of Interest – 31 March 2008
2. Full Application – 28 April 2008
Individual Project
Two stage application process:
1. Expression of Interest – 31 March 2008
2. Full Application – 19 May 2008
Operational funding
Application by written submission only - due on 28 April 2008
Go to www.environmentgrants.nt.gov.au for more details.
Grant types:
School project, individual project or operational funding.
Closing dates:
School
Two stage application process:
1. Expression of Interest – 31 March 2008
2. Full Application – 28 April 2008
Individual Project
Two stage application process:
1. Expression of Interest – 31 March 2008
2. Full Application – 19 May 2008
Operational funding
Application by written submission only - due on 28 April 2008
Go to www.environmentgrants.nt.gov.au for more details.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Photo Essay Exhibition for National Youth Week
Enjoy taking photographs? Like to show the world how you see things? The Alice Springs Desert Park would like to invite your school to nominate for a place in an exhibition to be hosted by the Desert Park, for visitors to learn about how Central Australia’s youth see the nature of the Desert. Showcase your own and your friend’s photography skills by sending us a group photo essay on the natural desert habitat where you live. Your group’s photos could be on display at the Alice Springs Desert Park for all to see. Be sure to have your entry to us by 5.00pm CST Monday 31st March 2008
More information
More information
Darwin Youth LEAD workshop 10-12 April, 2008
Youth LEAD is an innovative eco-social leadership and action training program giving young people the skills, motivation and opportunities to lead the way to a sustainable future. It is for 15-25 yr olds (flexible age limit). The second annual Darwin Youth LEAD program is being run as a Youth Week event in partnership with the Office of Youth Affairs and with the support of the Vodafone Australia Foundation and the Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts.
* When: Thursday 10th to Sat 12th April 2008 (3-day residential workshop)
* Where: Kormilda College, Berrimah
* $250 includes all food, accommodation and workshop materials (sliding scale if this price is a barrier - please contact us)
For more information please contact Gabe (Programs Coordinator - South Australia & Northern Territory on 0405 02 3232, or visit the website: http://www.ozgreen.org.au/upcoming.php
* When: Thursday 10th to Sat 12th April 2008 (3-day residential workshop)
* Where: Kormilda College, Berrimah
* $250 includes all food, accommodation and workshop materials (sliding scale if this price is a barrier - please contact us)
For more information please contact Gabe (Programs Coordinator - South Australia & Northern Territory on 0405 02 3232, or visit the website: http://www.ozgreen.org.au/upcoming.php
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tips for Energy Smart Offices
A 250 Watt desktop computer, used eight hours a day, generates over nearly half a tonne of greenhouse gases each year. Check your computer, photocopier, printer and fax machine have the Energy Star® power management feature enabled. By enabling Energy Star, the computer goes into a "sleep" mode when not in use, reportedly reducing emissions up to 75% (must be an underused computer!) which would save $76.00 per computer each year.
Energy inefficient appliances add heat to the office and increase cooling costs.
Monitor screen savers do not save energy. Turning off the monitor does.
The life of monitors and disk drives is extended by turning them off when not needed
Portable computers use less energy than desktop models and generally ink jet printers use far less energy per page than laser models.
Use desk lamps or standard lamps where most light is needed, so less lighting is required for the entire room.
Don't over cool: 1°C difference in temperature between indoors and outdoors adds 10% to your bill and increases greenhouse gas emissions by the same amount.
For more tips see : http://www.energysmart.com.au/wes/DisplayPage.asp?PageID=34
This inforamtion came from the Desert Knoweldge Australia COOLMob newletter Stay COOL, published on line each month. It is a great resource! To find out more about DKA COOLMob, to join or for a home energy or water audit, contact Kat on 8952 0299
Energy inefficient appliances add heat to the office and increase cooling costs.
Monitor screen savers do not save energy. Turning off the monitor does.
The life of monitors and disk drives is extended by turning them off when not needed
Portable computers use less energy than desktop models and generally ink jet printers use far less energy per page than laser models.
Use desk lamps or standard lamps where most light is needed, so less lighting is required for the entire room.
Don't over cool: 1°C difference in temperature between indoors and outdoors adds 10% to your bill and increases greenhouse gas emissions by the same amount.
For more tips see : http://www.energysmart.com.au/wes/DisplayPage.asp?PageID=34
This inforamtion came from the Desert Knoweldge Australia COOLMob newletter Stay COOL, published on line each month. It is a great resource! To find out more about DKA COOLMob, to join or for a home energy or water audit, contact Kat on 8952 0299
Sustainability Radio
Did you know that the Arid Lands Environment Centre now have their own Sustainability Radio show?
The show is on every wednesday from 7- 8 pm on 8CCC (102.1FM)
The show covers both local and international environmental issues and ideas for sustainable living in Alice Springs.
Recent interviews include topics such as vegetable oil cars, worm farms, and an acoustic performance of eco-folk tunes.
Tune in!
The show is on every wednesday from 7- 8 pm on 8CCC (102.1FM)
The show covers both local and international environmental issues and ideas for sustainable living in Alice Springs.
Recent interviews include topics such as vegetable oil cars, worm farms, and an acoustic performance of eco-folk tunes.
Tune in!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Day and Night world map
This map shows the current position of the Sun and moon and indicates which parts of the Earth are in day and which are in night.
The website also contains more information on the sun and moon and useful links to things such as sun and moon rise tables and moon phase calculators
The website also contains more information on the sun and moon and useful links to things such as sun and moon rise tables and moon phase calculators
Monday, February 18, 2008
Thinking about Climate Change - A Guide for Teachers and Students
Thinking About Climate Change: a guide for teachers and students is now available for download at www.theweathermakers.org/tacc
A joint initiative between Professor Tim Flannery, the Purves Environmental Fund and Text Publishing, this guide is constructed for students between years 7 and 10 across the curriculum disciplines of Maths, Sciences, the Humanities and Information Technology. Adapted from Tim Flannery’s seminal book, We Are the Weather Makers, Thinking About Climate Change offers lesson plans, research aids and discussion suggestions to allow teachers and students to explore the implications and complexities of climate change and to learn and practice relevant skills. The guide has been compiled and tested by curriculum professionals and practising teachers and fact-checked by respected climate experts.
Thinking About Climate Change was distributed free to every secondary school in Australia in November 2007. It can also be downloaded for free from the Learning Resources tab at www.theweathermakers.org. This site is regularly updated with activities, news, links and additional teaching resources.
A joint initiative between Professor Tim Flannery, the Purves Environmental Fund and Text Publishing, this guide is constructed for students between years 7 and 10 across the curriculum disciplines of Maths, Sciences, the Humanities and Information Technology. Adapted from Tim Flannery’s seminal book, We Are the Weather Makers, Thinking About Climate Change offers lesson plans, research aids and discussion suggestions to allow teachers and students to explore the implications and complexities of climate change and to learn and practice relevant skills. The guide has been compiled and tested by curriculum professionals and practising teachers and fact-checked by respected climate experts.
Thinking About Climate Change was distributed free to every secondary school in Australia in November 2007. It can also be downloaded for free from the Learning Resources tab at www.theweathermakers.org. This site is regularly updated with activities, news, links and additional teaching resources.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Junior Art Competition
The Reef & Rainforest Carnivale LJ Hooker Colouring-In Competition brings 9,623 Primary Schools from around the country together into one of the largest junior school art competitions in Australia!
Art teachers from around the country are encouraged to enter their primary students into the competition for the chance to win a $1500 term deposit for the winning student and $1000 in art supplies for their school. State Finalists will win $500 in art supplies for their school and a $250 term deposit.
For more information, to register and to download the poster do to the website
http://www.carnivale.com.au/juniorart.htm
Art teachers from around the country are encouraged to enter their primary students into the competition for the chance to win a $1500 term deposit for the winning student and $1000 in art supplies for their school. State Finalists will win $500 in art supplies for their school and a $250 term deposit.
For more information, to register and to download the poster do to the website
http://www.carnivale.com.au/juniorart.htm
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Learning for Sustainablilty website
Guide to on-line resources for government agency staff, NGOs and other community leaders working to support social learning and collective action around ICM and other resource management issues. A central section of this site links the reader to a range of guides, tools and checklists that can be drawn upon for guidance in this area to address issues such as participation and engagement. Other pages here highlight the lessons that have emerged from researchers and practitioners in different sectors.
New pages link to resources on underpinning social research methods including systems thinking and action research. One page lists on-line resources for both post-graduate research students and their supervisors.
Topics include thinking about the supervisory team, as well as tips for structuring and writing a thesis or dissertation.
The site also manages additional pages on finding volunteering and job opportunities in the sustainability sector. These are directly accessible from the main site indexing system. As with the rest of the site these
sections bring links to lot of on-line resources together in one easy to access site, each link is annotated to provide a guide to its contents.
www.learningforsustainability.net
New pages link to resources on underpinning social research methods including systems thinking and action research. One page lists on-line resources for both post-graduate research students and their supervisors.
Topics include thinking about the supervisory team, as well as tips for structuring and writing a thesis or dissertation.
The site also manages additional pages on finding volunteering and job opportunities in the sustainability sector. These are directly accessible from the main site indexing system. As with the rest of the site these
sections bring links to lot of on-line resources together in one easy to access site, each link is annotated to provide a guide to its contents.
www.learningforsustainability.net
Earth Hour
Sat 29 March 08
More than ten of the world's major cities today pledged their support for Earth Hour
2008, the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) led climate change initiative that has gained worldwide momentum.
http://www.earthhour.org/
More than ten of the world's major cities today pledged their support for Earth Hour
2008, the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) led climate change initiative that has gained worldwide momentum.
http://www.earthhour.org/
2008 - INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PLANET EARTH
UNESCO to Launch International Year of Planet Earth 12-13 February 2008
The General Assembly of the United Nations has proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE). Its subtitle ' Earth Sciences for Society' reflects the IYPE's main ambition: to make our planet a safer, healthier and wealthier place for its human societies by ensuring a greater and more effective use of the knowledge accumulated by the world's 400,000 Earth scientists.
On 12 and 13 February 2008, the International Year of Planet Earth will be fficially launched at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris. This event will be co-organized by the IYPE Corporation and the National Committee of the IYPE in France, together with IUGS and UNESCO.
IYPE Website with further information:
http://www.yearofplanetearth.org/
The General Assembly of the United Nations has proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE). Its subtitle ' Earth Sciences for Society' reflects the IYPE's main ambition: to make our planet a safer, healthier and wealthier place for its human societies by ensuring a greater and more effective use of the knowledge accumulated by the world's 400,000 Earth scientists.
On 12 and 13 February 2008, the International Year of Planet Earth will be fficially launched at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris. This event will be co-organized by the IYPE Corporation and the National Committee of the IYPE in France, together with IUGS and UNESCO.
IYPE Website with further information:
http://www.yearofplanetearth.org/
Monday, February 11, 2008
iNet student online conference on climate change
Students at your school are invited to take part in the 2008 series of iNet student online conferences, ‘Whose world is it anyway?’
These four online events for primary and secondary students are a chance to discuss big global issues with young people from around the world. Students can also share creative work exploring the issues.
This year’s themes are:
New technologies: a threat or a promise?
Online message boards active 25 - 29 February
*no new contributions can be accepted for this first conference.
Climate change: whose problem is it?
Online message boards active 10 -14 March
Extended deadline for sending in creative work: 25 February
Do you live in a 'global village'?
Online message boards active 28 April - 2 May
Deadline for sending in creative work: 17 March
If you could change the world to create a better future, what would you do?
Online message boards active 16 - 20 June
Deadline for sending in creative work: 12 May
For more information, visit www.ssat-inet.net/haveyoursay
Register to take part
To make sure you are kept updated, register to participate at www.cybertext.net.au/studentreg3.htm
Students may register online individually. Teachers can also register themselves and then pass information on to all their students.
What kind of creative work can be submitted?
· written work: essays, stories, poems, newspaper articles . . .
· videos
· audio recordings
· presentations
· websites
Students providing material for the online conferences are invited to submit an avatar, rather than a personal photo. The two sites that could
be used to create these images are: http://www.simpsonsmovie.com/main.html and http://www.weeworld.com/default.aspx
(teachers may need to set up an account for students or students may wish to draw their own picture and send as a jpeg file).
For more detailed information, please visit www.ssat-inet.net/haveyoursay
All contributions, with students’ age, name, school and country, must be sent to Ms Debra Brydon at brydon@cybertext.net.au by the
deadlines specified above.
Students who aren’t able to submit any creative work by the deadline are still welcome to join in the discussion on the message boards.
If you have any questions about the conferences, please contact Debra Brydon: brydon@cybertext.net.au
These four online events for primary and secondary students are a chance to discuss big global issues with young people from around the world. Students can also share creative work exploring the issues.
This year’s themes are:
New technologies: a threat or a promise?
Online message boards active 25 - 29 February
*no new contributions can be accepted for this first conference.
Climate change: whose problem is it?
Online message boards active 10 -14 March
Extended deadline for sending in creative work: 25 February
Do you live in a 'global village'?
Online message boards active 28 April - 2 May
Deadline for sending in creative work: 17 March
If you could change the world to create a better future, what would you do?
Online message boards active 16 - 20 June
Deadline for sending in creative work: 12 May
For more information, visit www.ssat-inet.net/haveyoursay
Register to take part
To make sure you are kept updated, register to participate at www.cybertext.net.au/studentreg3.htm
Students may register online individually. Teachers can also register themselves and then pass information on to all their students.
What kind of creative work can be submitted?
· written work: essays, stories, poems, newspaper articles . . .
· videos
· audio recordings
· presentations
· websites
Students providing material for the online conferences are invited to submit an avatar, rather than a personal photo. The two sites that could
be used to create these images are: http://www.simpsonsmovie.com/main.html and http://www.weeworld.com/default.aspx
(teachers may need to set up an account for students or students may wish to draw their own picture and send as a jpeg file).
For more detailed information, please visit www.ssat-inet.net/haveyoursay
All contributions, with students’ age, name, school and country, must be sent to Ms Debra Brydon at brydon@cybertext.net.au by the
deadlines specified above.
Students who aren’t able to submit any creative work by the deadline are still welcome to join in the discussion on the message boards.
If you have any questions about the conferences, please contact Debra Brydon: brydon@cybertext.net.au
Sea Week 2008
The Marine Education Society of Australasia (MESA) is a national organisation that promotes the sustainable use of marine and coastal environments through education.
Each year a different theme is chosen for Seaweek. In 2008 Seaweek’s theme is "Extinction - a Saw point" highlighting the plight of the declining sawfish. “Sawfish populations have declined over the years because of pressures imposed on them from fishing and modification of their habitat. Sawfish are vulnerable to most forms of fishing in particular net fisheries as at any size their toothed rostrum is easily entangled in the mesh’
If you would like to participate in Seaweek 2008 please visit the MESA website www.mesa.edu.au where you can access information about Seaweek including:
• Information sheets on Saw fish and other threatened marine species
• Teaching activities
• Photo gallery
• Scientific papers
• Talk with experts
• Live webcasts during Seaweek
Contact Verity Bone
SA/NT MESA state representative
E: veritybone@hotmail.com
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