ozEEnews - aaee.org.au · stories this issue and those who have ... ourselves and at this time of year learn to ... Tyres instead of coral Photo:

members who contributed stories this issue and those who have contributed in the past ozEEnews is a platform to give your projects a voice and we look forward to hearing more from you in 2017

And finally we say farewell to our National Administrator Kate Elder as she moves on from AAEE Kate has been a key team member of the Association for five years and I hope yoursquoll join me in wishing Kate all the very best

Have a safe merry (and green) festive season

Christmas is literally around the corner and has snuck up on me this year In this Issue we wanted to look back on the year thatrsquos been and celebrate the achievements of our Association and its members

AAEE President Mark Caddey shares an interesting new concept for the Association to help us leverage our knowledge through a new series of lsquoKnowing Circlersquo events (p2) I encourage

you to read more about how you can engage in this dialogue

Did you attend our National Conference in Adelaide From page 3 we share with you some member reflections and photos from the event You can add photos or join the conversation on Facebook

Thank you to those

This electronic edition of ozEEnews has been sent to all members with email addresses If you have not supplied or

you have changed your email address please send your correct email address to adminaaeeorgau

Newsletter of the Australian Association for Environmental Education Inc ISSUE 137 DEC 2016

ozEEnews

ozEEnews is the newsletter of the Australian Association for Environmental Education Inc Views expressed in ozEEnews are not necessarily those of the Association Material may be copied with due acknowledgement

ISSN 1034-6600wwwaaeeorgau

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

From the Editor

Presidentrsquos Report 2

Alison CooperEditor ozEEnews

ozeenewsaaeeorgau

AAEE Conference Report 3-4A Year in Review 5-6AAEE 2017 Save the Date 7The Archibull Prize 2017 opens 8Reviewing EC Education 9Biodiversity Schools pilot 10CSIRO sustainable futures 11Actsmart Schools ACT 1212Cairns Drain Stencil Project 13PhD research project Invitation 14Schools Showcase EfS 14Nature-based learning TNQ15 15Book Launch 15Habitat stepping stones 1abitat stepping stones 16Member Year in Review 17Marine Educators SIG 17Drawing as cognition 18Get Wild Do Things That Matter 19Member Spotlight 20AJEE Call for submissions 20Waste Conference 2017 20National Executive Council 21Executive Member Profile 21AJEE Reviewers invited 22Upcoming Events 23

Expressions of Interest open for The Archibull Prize 2017 (p8)

Mark Caddey

Presidentrsquos Report

Events

If you have any events that you would like published in ozEEnews please send the name of the event date and time venue and a con-tact email address to ozeenewsaaeeorgau

Thankyou to contributorsThanks go to all the members who contributed articles for this edition and tonyparslowartnet for the desktop publishing

Intending contributors should forward material by e-mail toozeenewsaaeeorgau

Deadline for contributions to next edition is 6 March 2017

Electronic format is preferred though not essential Artwork cartoons and photographs should be provided at 100dpi postcard size minimum

Articles may be features reports events snippets reviews etc and should be less than 600 words

Decisions about publication are the responsibility of the editor ozEEnews accepts advertising Charges are available on request to the editor

Markmarkcaddeyiinetnetau

Connecting Membership ndash AAEErsquos first learning Circle

Learner-centred pedagogies The Executive presented a new approach to lsquoConnecting Membershiprsquo at the October AGM in Adelaide Part of this commitment is to create opportunities for members to connect with and learn from each other Our greatest asset as an Association is the collective deep knowledge of our members

As part of this new approach the Executive are hosting online Learning Circle events to share learning new approaches and to support and reflect on our own learning

I thought it appropriate to volunteer to deliver a Learning Circle session and so presented on some new materials developed in NSW by the Environmental and Zoo Education Centres (NSW Department of Education) and supported by the Office of Environment and Heritage The Sustainability Action Process learning resources are available here These resources support students through a process of inquiry learning planning and implementing a sustainability project

Learner-centred pedagogies is one term used for a range of approaches that puts the learner at the centre of their learning journey other terms used include lsquoproject based learningrsquo lsquostudent centred learningrsquo It is characterised by a process of inquiry that directed by the learner in a mode or style that suits them best It doesnrsquot mean itrsquos lsquoboundary-lessrsquo but it is scaffolded through a methodology or process and aims to answer a question that has complexity or multiple facets to it

The discussion through and after the presentation was raised a range of issues related to learner centred approaches ranging from does this approach work for all learners classrooms or schools what do we learn about our own learning by teaching this way and how do we manage our professional

learning to support it and what are the barriers to teachers doing more of this if the research all points to it being more effective for student learning

The Learning Circle presentation went for about 45 mins and was delivered through the Zoom video conferencing system AAEE uses for meetings It allowed for sharing the presentation text chats questions and discussion The first Learning Circles had 11 participants from across Australia

As I write this the annual debate rages through the media about NAPLAN results and that students are not demonstrating significant progress across a range of measures This debate is not in a political vacuum and so funding Gonski student-teacher ratios and pre-service training are all drawn in For the first time I have heard the word lsquopedagogiesrsquo used as part of the argument and that in fact part of the issue of a flat-lining of student improvement is due to the multiple approaches styles or pedagogies used in our schools

Do I find this new turn in the debate exciting or challenging As educational professionals and practitioners our members know the value of active engagement of learners whether they are in early childhood school or part of the community We also know that engagement must include action - starting from being physical in the natural environment for deep engagement through a purposeful process of inquiry learning to a project or activity that has a learning and environmental or sustainability outcome

What I donrsquot want to emerge from this debate is to lose sight of the learners themselves people not achievement statistics people that need to be active contributors to sustainability solutions in an increasingly complex world

As educators we must also be learners ourselves and at this time of year learn to look after ourselves and our well-being Enjoy your summer break take time and recharge (nature is great for that)

Thanks to all our AAEE members for 2016 Irsquoll see you all in 2017

Awarding the Brian Foreman scholarship at the AAEE National Conference Adelaide October 2016 (L-R) Sue Martin - Awards coordinator Jorja McKinnon ndash Brian

Foreman scholarship recipient Leigh Foreman - son of Brian Foreman Mark Caddey - AAEE President and Hugh Kneebone AAEE 2016 Biennial Conference Convener

Tyres instead of coral Photo Annie Gilliam

Learning Circle - 8 March 2017 4pm (Eastern summer time)

Maryland Environmental Literacy StandardsCam Mackenzie (AAEE Vice President) will present on the Environmental Literacy workshop hosted by the World Future Council

Before the tumultuous election results in the USA the Obama administration proclaimed a national law that focussed on environmental education called ldquoNo Child Left Inside Act 2015rdquo This Act required States to develop their own Environmental Literacy Plan which in the State of Maryland resulted in their State Legislation development of their Environmental Literacy Standards These Standards are achievements that every student who leaves High School must have achieved How do these compare to the Australia Curriculumrsquos nine Organising Ideas for the cross curriculum priority for sustainability

If you would like to nominate a topic and present at a future AAEE Learning Circle email Mark at presidentaaeeorgau

By Jorja McKinnonIt was a delight when I heard the news from Sue Martin that I had been awarded the Brian Foreman Scholarship and would be attending the AAEE Biennial Conference I have been active within the Environmental Education field for many years but had never had the experience of attending the conference I literally leapt for joy at the prospect

AAEE Conference Report from the Brian Foreman Scholarship recipient

Adelaide High School hosted the three-day conference with the Research Symposium being held the day before the official conference at the University of South Australia As a PhD candidate with Deakin University the opportunity of attending the research symposium enabled me to connect with active researchers in the field in meaningful ways Initially the prospect was a little daunting would I be able to find my voice with such a stellar lineup My

nerves were completely unfoundedhellipthe genuine collaboration of the various groups gave a sense of a field of professionals that worked with warmth and support This vibe meant that I moved into the official conference proceedings relaxed as well as ready and willing to engage

Keynote SpeakersThe beginning of each day was set up with a set of quality keynote speakers Day one saw Karina Lester from the School of Linguistics at the University of Adelaide asking us to consider cultural diversity as she unpacked the critical components of the lsquoRed Earth Curriculumrsquo Karina was complemented by Professor Tim Entwisle Director and Chief Executive at the Royal Botanic Gardens with a reimagining of Australiarsquos antiquated European four seasons models by asking us to consider the possibilities of including Sprinter and Sprummer as overlay periods between winter and spring or spring and summer or perhaps just getting out and observing the natural environment to ascertain the changing of the seasons

Day two shifted the focus away from the current practice and pushed the audience into the lsquoTomorrow Makingrsquo sphere as two bright young things illustrated the huge talent in the coming generation Maddi Hegarty young change maker at Nuriootpa High School and Saskia Gerhardy founding member of Willunga Youth and Community in Conservation Action proved age is no barrier when leading positive change within the environmental movement As the girls demonstrated when we are moving into the future anything is possible This thought pattern wasnrsquot interrupted as Kristin Alford Director of the Science Creativity Education Studio at the University of South Australia continued by walking us through a conceptual understanding of what a futures ordinated learning space can achieve And if the audience was considering these ideas as something we had to wait for Dr Paul Clarke Co-Director and Founder of the Pop-Up Foundation was able to bring a contemporary perspective of how humanity can reimagine a closer more productive connection to place and space

The keynote speakers for day three provided a full circle in thinking Kerryn Molloy Earth Patron Sponsor ndash Murray Darling Basin Authority gave a valuable insight into the current pressures of this delicate and complex system John OrsquoBrien Founder of Australian CleanTech and Sino CleanTech

continued P4

The Biennial conference in Adelaide was attended by Jorja McKinnon PhD student at Deakin University made possible by the Brian Foreman Scholarship This scholarship was created to assist a member of the association to travel and attend the biennial conference Brian Foreman was a founding member of the Association in 1980 and his work in

South Australia is legendary Lee Foreman Brianrsquos son was at the conference dinner to describe the value of the legacy the scholar-ship in his fatherrsquos name The success of the fundraising at the South Australian confer-ence will allow for multiple scholarship to be awarded for the 2018 Conference Find out more on the AAEE website

Brian Foreman celebrated at the AAEE Biennial Conference dinner

ozEEnewsDec 2016

provided understandings of the clean technology industry and the possibilities it provides Dr Jess Dart Clear Horizon Consulting helped us establish in our minds what it means to design social change programs Finally we heard again from Dr Paul Clarke with an impromptu video of how he collected a swarming hive of bees

WorkshopsEach day had a bustling schedule of workshops to attend There was a mixture of short lecture style session coupled with longer workshops enabling deeper exploration There was something for everyone For me my PhD straddles the fields of Environmental Education and STEM

Education and I was able to spend three days (what a luxury) exploring each of these areas as well as sessions that were able to inform where the two meet On day one I found myself struggling to calm the new and exciting ideas I was exposed to within the sessions there was a sense of being overwhelmed As day one progressed I found value in calming those thoughts with a chat over morning tea or lunch with some of the people I had heard from during the sessions As the days progressed my deluge of ideas became more ordered and smoothed into a relaxed conversation with myself but also with the colleagues I had admired and can now consider reliable sounding boards

As time has passed and my thoughts have moved on in time and space there are lasting imprints gained that only the experience of attending the conference

could provide I placed great importance in gaining knowledge and understanding from the more experienced members of the environmental education field and indeed I did More importantly I gained a sense of trust and acceptance when somebody gave me their email and said lsquoletrsquos chat some morersquo this was a genuine invitation to continue a conversation about the possibilities of what can be achieved when there is a common goal

Without the Brian Foreman Scholarship I would not have been able to attend the conference and it is with great appreciation I extend a Thank You to the Foreman Family and AAEE for the opportunity To finish I think Brian himself summed it up best ndash ldquoWhen you join the environmental education community you never leave itrdquohelliphear hear

AAEE Conference Report contrsquod

AAEE Conference

By Larraine LarriAAEE has significantly enriched my achievements in EfS research this year It culminated at the Adelaide Conference through my many conversations with colleagues and my activities that included the Knitting Nannas Against Gas installation and presentations with Tenille Dowe (The Archibull Prize recipient) Hilary Whitehouse and Angela Colliver (The Anthropocene) and Annette Gough and other panellists in relation to Gender in EE

Rather than write my impressions I thought it would be interesting for members to hear from non-members ie The Knitting Nannas and Tenille Dowe

I know that the Knitting Nannas had a great experience in Adelaide so I asked them for their insights and herersquos what they said

ldquoAdelaide gave us hope for the future - to know there are so many people committed to passing on their knowledge and concerns about the environment to younger generations The Nannas are not a NIMBY organization but it brought it home to us that we really are educators too To have the opportunity to talk about what we do and why we do it the effects of fracking and coal mining on our environment especially on the water with people who understand was inspirational and gave us strength to continue - not to have to contend with any abuse or the nay-sayers was refreshing (and different) to say the least We only have this planet and we must do all we can to protect itrdquo (Carol Bennett Gloucester KNAG Clare Twomey Northern Rivers KNAG)

Tenille Dowe (Special Education Teacher Northlakes High School) and her Head Teacher Jan Curran were so inspired by their AAEE Adelaide experience theyrsquove realised the importance of integrating environmental and sustainability education into every lesson

ldquohellipBecause teaching students about taking care of our environment and natural resources is paramount for their future Wersquove used our newly learnt information to burst the bubble our

A Year in Review AAEE enriching members and non-members

students were in Theyrsquore now beginning to look outside of their own community and are developing and maturing as global citizensrdquo

Tenillersquos presentation about The Archibull Prize was the catalyst for attending the conference She uses The Archibull Prize to engage her students in teaching and learning activities focused on Australian agricultural industries and the role this plays in all of our lives Doing the competition brings together the visual arts (including multimedia) with farmers and environmental education Before this program she had not taught environmental education

The Archibull Prize 2016 Earth Hour Best Climate Change Teaching Tool recipient shown by Tenille Dowe (Year 8 Special Education Teacher Northlakes High School)

AAEE Adelaide Knitting Nannas Against Gas Installation (L-R) Carol Bennett Clare Twomey Larraine Larri

AAEE Adelaide Knitting Nannas Against Gas Installation (L-R) Jasmine Paggett Sophie Rogers Hilary Whitehouse Carol Bennett Clare Twomey

ozEEnewsDec 2016

Sustainability in schools Teaching resourcesThere are a range of classroom-ready resources for all subjects available for

teachers from the Getting Started with Sustainability in Schools website

Search the Resources Portal at wwwsustainabilityinschoolseduau

Itrsquos time to get started with sustainability in schools

Tenille says ldquoMy Year 8 Supported Learning Class have experienced success in learning as well as becoming responsible global citizens through teamwork problem solving creative and critical thinking

At this yearrsquos Archibull Prize Awards Day (in November) our overall entry gained 3rd place and we won the Earth Hour Best Climate Change Teaching Tool Award for our picture book lsquoClimate Change Is a Shared Responsibilityrsquo Our book will be used by students all over Australia when learning about the impacts of climate change on our world and the innovations and technologies Australian farmers are pioneering to mitigate the effect on our planet

Our eyes were opened to The Anthropocene while at the AAEE Conference and wersquore now starting a conversation that is leading to change In 2017 wersquore planning a hub in our library for students to start having

relevant conversations about things that matter Our aim is to open their eyes and broaden their views of the world Wersquore hoping that the images we post up will get them talking I strongly believe that even though young people only make up a small amount of our global population however they are 100 of the solution It is our students who are the change makers

While at the conference I met the Knitting Nannas Against Gas (KNAG) I was fascinated by the idea of a group of people standing up for a common cause and making a difference I knew I wanted to tell my students about them and the coolest thing was using a non-violent method (like knitting) to draw attention to their cause and bring about change through action I knew my students would find value in learning about KNAG I was right they were fascinated silent protests against coal seam gas mining Nannas (and Pops) taking knitting and making a social comment

to bring about change and preserve the environment for the future generations

My students wanted to know the ins and outs of everything They thought anything they did would be insignificant However after learning about Knitting Nannas they were able to see how a small group of people can lead to a bigger group of people and create significant and long lasting change

Our picture book and our participation in The Archibull Prize is also a tool for drawing attention and broadening global views through using environmental education Lessons learnt through this year will stay with my students long after their time in formal education in complete

This year has been a year of learning and change for us and our students The AAEE Conference was only the beginning We are excited and eager to see what 2017 has in store for Northlakes High School

Tenille Dowe (bottom centre) and Jan Curran (far right Head Teacher Teaching amp Learning) with the Northlakes High School Archibull Prize 2016 student team

Northlakes High School The Archibull Prize 2016 Entry

A Year in Review contrsquod

wwwnsweeconferenceorgau

MAKE THE CHANGE JOIN US AT THE

33RD NSW ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION CONFERENCE

A Framework for Education and Engagement for Sustainability

SAVE THE DATE

27 28 and 29 September 2017

ENQUIRIESSue Martin

Saint Ignatiusrsquo College Riverview

E SMMartinriverviewnsweduauT 02 9882 8142

ozEEnewsDec 2016

By Lynne StrongArchibull Prize

A riot of colourful cows will stampede into schools in 2017 with expressions of interest now open for primary and secondary schools to participate in The Archibull Prize

The Archibull Prize is an initiative of Art4Agriculture designed to give young people the skills to connect farmers and the community and to co-create a bright future for Australia

Armed with a fibreglass cow (or calf) and a paint kit students will have the opportunity to research a specific agricultural industry and present their findings in art form to their communities and a judging panel as they participate to find fame and fortune Multiple cash prizes up to $1000 are up for grabs as well as the coveted title of Grand Champion Archibull

Along with their creative cows and calves students will develop multi-media presentations and explore issues such as biodiversity climate change water use and renewable energy

Throughout the journey Young Farming Champions (YFC) skilled professionals working within agriculture will come into schools to share their stories and inspire students

2017 will be the seventh instalment of The Archibull Prize and teachers and students alike have seen the benefits of this successful combination of arts and multimedia along with project-based processes across multiple key learning areas

To view past Archies visit the website at wwwarchibullprizecomauhalloffame

Design a bright future with

The Archibull Prize

Put simply The Archibull Prize is a successful addition to any learning program

On the completion of the program young people will have developed a deep understanding and appreciation of the role farmers and the agriculture sector play in contributing to the economy and well-being of all Australians by providing safe affordable healthy food and quality fibre every day

Schools who are finalists in each

Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School

category will participate in an awards and exhibition day where they will meet teams from competing schools share their learning journeys and be recognised and celebrated for their efforts

ContactFor more information or to complete an Expression of Interest email Art4Agriculture National Program Director Lynne Strong with your contact details lynnestrongart4agriculturecomau

Wilberforce Primary School

By Sue Elliott University of New England

The past year has been significant for Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (ECEfS) and the paragraphs below provide an update of the highlights There is much to celebrate in 2016 The state-based ECEfS networks are moving ahead with professional learning events newsletters and conference days If you are seeking ECEfS information the groups to contact are listed below plus there are key people in other states too including Megan Mentz and Anne Pettit at Little Green Steps WA and Jenny Dudgeon with The Tasmanian Department of Education bull Environmental Education in Early

Childhood (EEEC Victoria) wwweeecorgau

bull New South Wales Early Childhood Environmental Education Network (NSW ECEEN) wwweceenorgau

bull Queensland Early Childhood Sustainability Network (QECSN) wwwqecsn orgau

bull Early Education for Sustainability South Australia Inc (EESSA) wwweessaorgau

bull Anne is co-author with Sally Sneddon of Sustainability in Action in Early Childhood Settings (2016)

A possible ECEfS AllianceIn May this year a group of about 20 ECEfS educators academics and policy makers representing most Australian states and ECEfS networks plus two New Zealanders met to discuss forming an alliance In the past this group has joined forces over key policy issues but the intention now is to become a recognisable group The proposed name is the Australia-Aotearoa Alliance for Early Childhood Education for Sustainability (The Alliance) The Alliance will bring together ECEfS networks across Australia and Aotearoa as a strong and united voice to further build capacity

EfS WebinarEarly Childhood Australia the peak national organisation for early childhood education has recently launched an EfS webinar to promote professional learning across the early childhood sector Julie Gaul and Deb Watson (NSW ECEEN) were instrumental and the

Reviewing Early Childhood Education for Sustainability in 2016

webinar can be purchased from the Learning Hub

ECEfS study reportThe NSW OEH Environmental Trust funded a consultative ECEfS study in 2014 and this year has published an online public document (Elliott McCrea Newsome amp Gaul 2016) to further inform and support uptake in the field Available from Environmentnswgovau

Translation of key textsThe recent translation of key texts authored by predominantly Australian researchers and practitioners confirms our leading role internationally The publication Research in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability International perspectives and provocations (Davis amp Elliott 2014) has been translated into Korean and moves are now underway to translate Young Children and the Environment (Davis 2015) into Chinese

Nature playThe nature play movement continues unabated with various governments and organisations offering significant support I can only question where was this support when EE began in the early childhood sector some 30 years ago Are we at risk of simply turning the clock back here to the greenness of EE while ignoring the other dimensions of sustainability The Victorian bush kinder educators have formed an Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Network (ECOLN) and held their very successful

inaugural conference day in 2016 earlychildhoodoutdoorlearningweeblycom

2017 Transnational DialoguesAs we look forward another Transnational Dialogues (TND) in ECEfS Research meeting is being organised by Lyndal OrsquoGorman and Sue Elliott for September 2017 to coincide with the next World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) in Vancouver BC The international TND meetings have created a research continuum and become a mainstay of the ECEfS field globally A recent conference paper by TND members was awarded lsquoBest Paperrsquo at the World Symposium on Sustainable Development in Universities (WSSD-U) Boston USA The paper presented by Emery Davis Ferreira and Sageidet will be published next year in the Handbook of Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development in Higher Education (Filho Brandli Castro amp Newman)

SummaryIn summary 2016 has been a busy year for ECEfS and this reflection naturally leads to visions for the future We must continue to advocate for maintaining the sustainability elements within the National Quality Standard (ACECQA 2013) promote preservice teacher qualifications which include EfS reinstate a national ECEfS conference and continue to build momentum for ECEfS with our international colleagues

The Alliance planning meeting in Sydney May 2016

ozEEnewsDec 2016

By Graeme Sawyer

Biodiversity is in real trouble world-wide and as we draw closer to the end of the Biodiversity Decade of Action 2010-2020 the problems are getting worse As people become more alienated from nature it makes it more likely that the natural systems in our world will be neglected and human impacts will make more changes to biodiversity and the underlying processes

Sir David Attenborough has called for a radical new approach to conservation urging people to ldquouse all spaces from gardens to roadside verges to help wildliferdquo School grounds are the perfect place to start lsquoNature deficit disorderrsquo is a reality but technology is a part of the solution To students technology is a significant and positive part of life it is an amplifier that can help you focus and think Contrast wandering around the school just looking compared to trying to get a photograph of a bird or a lizard The level of focus is very different

Biodiversity Schools databaseThe Biodiversity Schools database is designed to help schools to harness the power of nature education and some technology strategies in their learning Wagaman Primary School in Darwin has been piloting the process with great success and we are planning to make the online system available to schools in 2017

The system builds on powerful educational benefits of technology utilising ldquoconstructive multimediardquo which is a mixing of constructivist learning strategies and multimedia technologies Constructive multimedia draws on ideas from a number of learning areas that activate links and nodes in memory which are developed for effective encoding and retention by the learner

The greater this spread of activation the easier it is to anchor new concepts to those existing in memory (Anderson 1980) I found that using multimedia adds a totally new dimension to learning and is more meaningful for students Theoretically

multi sensory media activate a wider range of perceptual and conceptual processes which in turn enhance teaching and learning

Biodiversity Schools pilot Wagaman School

I saw this in practice on many occasions Multimedia is better able to represent knowledge than pieces of paper and text can but more importantly the process of doing this is a great scaffolding process for learning

The project builds on these ideas by utilising educational processes around taking knowledge exploring it and putting it into a knowledge system It is designed to facilitate the gathering publishing and sharing of information and casts the students in the role of content editors and creators not just passive consumers of online material

There are very exciting learning dynamics for teachers to understand in these processes From explicit teaching opportunities and moments to the simple level by allowing an element of an experience to be captured eg a photograph and this image used to transport the moment back into the classroom where the more complex processes unfold as the material is processed

Teachers at Wagaman have reported really positive outcomes from the process including strong attitude shifts

as well as great enthusiasm and student engagement Students moved ldquofrom throwing stones at animals to the roles of custodian and knowledge brokers as well as explaining things to other studentsrdquo

As the principal noted ldquothe contextualised learning opportunity has resonated with our students Their monitoring of the animals has taken on a contagion Children excitedly share sightings of the frillies or birds that inhabit our grounds and make comparative statements as to the location development or behaviours of the animals

ldquoThis is even expanded to sightings and commentary re what is observed in the park or backyard after school Powerful stuffrdquo

For more information visit wwwbiodiversitywatchorgau

ReferencesAnderson J R (1980) Cognitive Psychology and its Implications San Francisco CA FreemanBarrett (1992) Sociomedia Cambridge The MIT Press

By Angela AndrewsCSIRO Sustainable Futures

2016 has been a big year for kids across Australia learning all about sustainability Over the past 12 months the CSIRO Sustainable Futures team have connected with almost 650 schools to deliver a range of activities including student workshops and hands-on science experiments as well as providing curriculum resources and professional development workshops for teachers across Australia

What is Sustainable Futures Sustainable Futures is an innovative school-based education program managed by CSIRO and supported by Bayer It combines the latest in climate science research with education for sustainability (EfS) It enables school communities to better understand current climate issues and encourages positive actions that make a direct contribution to creating a more sustainable future

At the core of the program is illustrating the importance and interconnectedness of ecosystems that encourages students to develop skills in the process of inquiry literature research experimental investigation and critical thinking The program incorporates the latest in educational pedagogy and is aligned to the Australian Curriculum It also facilitates collaborative learning amongst students and promotes an action-based approach to problem-solving on contemporary research in the areas of agriculture and food security land and water ecosystems and biodiversity atmosphere and climate science and energy technologies

How we help to make education for sustainability realBelow are a just a few highlights of the sustainability activities we ran in 2016

WORLD FOOD DAY 2016 ndash Monday 17 October World Food Day encouraged primary and secondary students to think about where their food comes from and to minimise their food waste The CSIRO created a range of free classroom activities designed to give students a

Creating a sustainable future

for kids in 2016

small taste of the science behind food sustainability (website)

Complementing this celebrity chef and former MasterChef finalist Callum Hann joined students at Allenby Gardens Primary School in Adelaide for a fun afternoon that focussed on sustainability and minimising food waste Students harvested vegetables from the schoolrsquos kitchen garden and Callum demonstrated how to combine these school-grown veggies with other healthy left-over ingredients to produce a scrumptious meal that students enjoyed

We also ran a photo competition and encouraged schools to take pictures of activities such as bull Students preparing soil and tending fruit

and vegetables in the schoolrsquos edible garden

bull Creative ways of reducing food waste bull Students adding food scraps to the

schoolrsquos worm farms and compost binsbull Posters created by students that promote

localseasonal fruit and vegetables and that discourage food wasteCongratulations to the winners of

our World Food Day photo competition St Johns Co-educational Junior School in Armidale who completed an engineering challenge to make floating gardens Check out more images

STATE OF THE CLIMATE REPORT ndash November 2016 The CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology State of the Climate is an incredible resource for student research assignments It draws on the latest monitoring science and projection information to describe variability and changes in Australiarsquos climate and how it is likely to change in the future

WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONSThe team worked with a number of teachers and schools to facilitate multi-school student workshops and hands-on science activities in Orange (NSW) Townsville (QLD) Mt Isa (QLD) Renmark (SA) Broome (WA) and Allanson (WA)

In addition to this the team hosted a workshop for pre-service teachers in Melbourne (VIC) presented professional learning workshops for teachers in Adelaide (SA) and Perth (WA) and undertook classroom modelling and team-teaching in schools as well as providing individual consultation and advice to teachers

How we support teachers The program provides a set of integrated teaching and learning units for primary and secondary schools These have a range of cross-curricular activities to support the teaching of sustainability and the environment as well as professional development webinars and workshops including interaction with CSIRO education specialists and research scientists

Where can I find out more Our current range of curriculum resources covers topics including Biodiversity Carbon Concerns Investigating Carbon Capture and Storage Sustainable Energy for All and Sustainable Projects In 2017 new resources will be released in the areas of Sustainable Energy for All (secondary) and Sustainable Agriculture (primary and secondary) Access these resources for free by registering online

Visit wwwcsiroausustainablefuturesEmail sustainablefuturescsiroauCall 1300 136 376

MasterChef finalist Callum Hann joined students at Allenby Gardens Primary School in Adelaide

ozEEnewsDec 2016

By Jenny DibleyACT Environment Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate

All ACT schools are registered with Actsmart Schools (formerly AuSSI)Actsmart Schools has an accreditation scheme to recognise and reward schools for their efforts As more schools gain accreditation in the programs five focus areas (energy waste water school grounds biodiversity curriculum) it has become overwhelmingly evident that schools with an active student team are more likely to gain accreditation

In response an education officer has been engaged to assist schools to establish student teams and resources have been developed to support the student teams for example a student energy kit containing capes and masks assembly quizzes a PowerMate posters stickers and consumption monitoring sheets The role of the team is to engage the whole school in reducing consumption and make it fun

The focus of Actsmart Schools has shifted from relying on teachers to drive the program to students playing a greater role Students are developing the knowledge skills and understanding to lead sustainability in

Actsmart Schools ACT

their school by attending workshops for teachers business and office managers Each workshop has a session where students are withdrawn to discuss the challenges and issues they face in getting the whole school actively engaged

A recent Actsmart Schools Eco Bus Tour attracted 120 students from various ACT schools The students

Actsmart Schools Trash and Treasure card game

visited schools that demonstrate excellence in sustainability education Actsmart Schools is recognised as a provider of professional learning for ACT teachers and all workshops have been accredited by the ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI)

An Environment CentreArea Teachersrsquo Network established in 2013 continues to support teachers who oversee these areas and who often feel isolated in this role The network meets quarterly and has proved invaluable and productive generating resources ideas and curriculum materials

Actsmart Schools has developed several new resources this year including extra interactive waste displays for schools to borrow student energy kits and a waste and recycling card game (published and distributed to all ACT primary schools)

In addition to the Actsmart Schools staff the program offers schools the free services of a Waste and Energy Education Officer and a horticulturist

Actsmart Schools continues to work collaboratively with ACT Education to assist ten schools move towards carbon neutrality by providing environmental data staff workshops resources and advice

For more information visit wwwactsmartactgovau

By Sioux CampbellCairns Regional Council

A critical part of my job in community disaster resilience building is finding links with related activities and ideas Sustainability concepts often therefore find their way into our resilience work including the burgeoning Cairns Drain Stencil Project

Run by CAFNECrsquos Marine Response Team the project is attracting growing attention for its contribution to the health of the Great Barrier Reef and marine health in general amenity values flood mitigation and community education There are few other opportunities for community members to legally spray paint in their own streets and for such a great cause

Stormwater is untreated in the Cairns region so everything that goes down the gutter literally ends up in the ocean At a time when the Great Barrier Reef is under immense pressure and climate change bringing more severe wet season events the project provides an ideal way to beautify infrastructure that residents take for granted while raising awareness of the importance of run off quality and clean drains Itrsquos easy to set up and is something that anyone of any age can participate in Families love it There is plenty of enthusiastic feedback about the value of on activity which many people are surprised to enjoy so much

From a disaster resilience perspective I wanted to incorporate drain stencilling with flood awareness and mitigation efforts in our most flood-prone communities A community engagement project focusing on the history of the Barron River has provided an ideal opportunity in the river delta communities of Caravonica Yorkeys

Caring for the reefmitigating floods ndash and having funCairns Drain Stencil Project

Knob Holloways and Machans beaches where we offer information on flood mapping to support the significance of clean clear drains in case further encouragement is required

We also ran a survey as part of the Caravonica stencilling to gauge the level of community awareness about the role of healthy drains and the impact of stormwater on the ocean The results are already assisting with our ongoing

education work in these delta locationsThe Cairns Drain Stencil Project is

made possible through the support of GBRMPA Cairns Regional Council and Get Ready Queensland

Itrsquos an excellent example of education for sustainability partnerships supporting education in for and about the environment

For more information visit wwwmarineteamorg

ozEEnewsDec 2016

My name is Maia Osborn and I am a PhD candidate at Southern Cross University on the Gold Coast My deep passion for environmental education and sustainability has inspired me to conduct research in this field As a beginning teacher I felt inexperienced and unprepared to effectively teach environmental education I believe it is valuable for experienced teachers who effectively integrate environmental education into their teaching practice to share their wealth of skills and knowledge I have designed my research in a way that enables me to value and draw upon this wealth of knowledge and experience of practicing teachers In doing so I hope to ascertain practical useful insights for teachers

Invitation to teachers to participate in a PhD research projectTeachersrsquo stories An exploration of philosophy pedagogy and community in Australian environmental education

I am currently seeking classroom teachers (K-6) who Are passionate dedicated and

committed to teaching environmental education and sustainability

Utilise strong partnerships with local community members andor groups as a means of enhancing the provision of environmental education (for example Friends of the Koala Landcare)

Does this sound like you Or someone you know

A key aim of my research is to bridge the research-practice divide within the field It is envisaged this approach may uncover valuable research implications to inform the provision of environmental education in Australian schools I sincerely hope I

have managed to pique your curiosity Your contribution to this research would be greatly appreciated

If you are interested in participating in my PhD research project or know someone who might be please send through your (or their) details to mosborn10studentscueduau Alternatively please feel free to call me on 0419 280077 for more information

I have detailed information sheets ready to send out to interested teachers

By Cally MaloneNatural Resources Adelaide amp Mt Lofty Ranges

KESAB environmental solutions held their annual Sustainable Communities awards on Tuesday November 15th which included showcasing the great sustainability work that schools working with NRM Education have been doing

We saw 14 (pre)schools AuSSI (pre)schools working in partnership with NRM Education teams from across the Adelaide and Mount Lofty (AMLR) region South Australia Murray-Darling Basin (SAMDB) region and South East (SE) region presented with Certificates of Recognition for their efforts in embedding Education for Sustainability (EfS) at their site

NRM Education takes great pleasure

Schools showcase Education for Sustainability

in congratulating these schools whose case studies will be made available on the Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges website shortly

Six (pre)schools from across the three regions including Clapham Primary School Good Shepherd Lutheran School and Star of the Sea School representing the AMLR region also shared a presentation of their sustainability journey involving the efforts and collaboration of students staff and community

In conjunction with the awards

KESAB also held its second time Sustainability Expo The expo saw many service providers community groups businesses government departments and agencies providing displays with information about their products services programs or initiatives A successful day bringing together schools showcasing their achievements

Contact Cally Malone for a full list of sites presented with a certificate of recognition by emailing Callykesabasnau

NRM Education display at the KESAB Sustainability expo

Book LaunchChief Guardian The Life and Times of Allen Strom

On Saturday 5 November an informal ceremony was held to launch the eBook Chief Guardian The Life and Times of Allen Strom

The event was attended by about 40 people and those present reminisced about the influence that the late Allen Strom had on their lives and in particular on their participation in the environmental education movement in NSW

About the book Allen Strom was a leading conservationist and environmental

Nature-based learning boosted in Tropical North Queensland

By Dan WaltonCairns Regional Council

With sustainability being recognised as a cross-curriculum priority in the National Curriculum the scope for innovative holistic outdoor learning is greater than it ever has been

In the Cairns region this scope is further enhanced by the education opportunities presented by the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Unfortunately cost limits the ability of many schools to offer nature-based excursions resulting in missed opportunity for the younger generation to better understand and connect with the natural environment of Tropical North Queensland

Cairns Regional Council is an active participant in Reef Guardians a Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

initiative As one of its Reef Guardian initiatives the council has established a Nature-based Learning Grant where schools in the Cairns region can apply for up to $2000 per year from a $20000 grant pool Schools then use

Edge Hill State School students on a recycling excursion at the Cairns Materials Recovery Facility

these funds to help meet the costs of excursions into nature including the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest

For more information visit wwwcairnsqldgovausustainability

educator in Australia This is an inspiring biography of a person who came from humble beginnings to become the leader of the national parks service in the state of New South Wales Australia Allen Strom also founded environmental education centres in NSW and contributed greatly to the progress of environmental management in the state The Strom biography was written by another of Australiarsquos leading conservationists

Allan Fox Allan Fox only drafted sections of the biography before his death and it appeared the Strom story would be lost However a group of Strom followers linked parts of Foxrsquos beautifully written drafts together to produce this Kindle e-book A must read for anyone interested in nature conservation

Buy Now The eBook is available from Amazoncomau

The Team (L-R) Neil Dufty Syd Smith David Tribe Kevin McDonald Ken Schaefer

ozEEnewsDec 2016

By Jessica NorthAustralian Research Institute for Environment amp Sustainability (ARIES)

Did you know that over half of Australiarsquos threatened species occur within the urban fringe Queensland has more than 90 threatened birds and mammals Victoria has more than 100 and New South Wales has over 200

Sydney alone is home to 68 threatened bird species and 47 other threatened animals By adding habitat-friendly elements to your backyard or balcony you can create a valuable wildlife-friendly stopover to help them out

Habitat Stepping Stones programThe Habitat Stepping Stones program is an engaging online tool which makes it easy for people to create effective habitat stepping stones between existing wildlife corridors The program was developed by the Australian Research Institute for Environment amp Sustainability (ARIES) at Macquarie University and its success was recognised when it won the 2015 National Trust Heritage Award for Conservation of Natural Landscape

How it worksThe programrsquos website showcases dozens of attractive habitat elements that are individually selected as suitable for each participating local government area It is friendly and simple to use with common plant names and an easy process to participate

Habitat elements include food plants shelter plants water sources nesting boxes and rock piles When someone pledges to add three or more habitat elements to their own backyard or balcony they can choose to have a bird added to their property on the online map The more elements they pledge to add the more colourful the bird With hundreds of birds now appearing you can find the ones that are closest to your place

Pledgers also receive a colourful aluminium plaque for their propertyrsquos front fence and often free plants and discounts from local suppliers as well

Creating habitat stepping stones

The environmental education is continued via the programrsquos supportive online community where participants can share their pics and stories receive ongoing local wildlife news and tips and learn about other environmental programs

Local councils across Australia can subscribe to the Habitat Stepping Stones program to have a new section of the website created for their local government area When choosing suitable plants for each local area the project team takes great care to select species that arebull Characteristic of the local vegetation

communitiesbull Easy to find and growbull Sufficiently attractivebull Beneficial to wildlife by providing nectar

seeds shelter or nesting materialsThe team then assesses the resulting selection to ensure it containsbull Plants of varying heights to ensure

habitat diversitybull A sufficient range of floweringfruiting

seeding times to maximise biodiversity outcomes

Then detailed descriptions and beautiful images are put together for each plant

Proven effectivenessbull Over 500 people have already pledged

to add 4000 habitat elementsbull More than 700 people ldquolikerdquo the

programrsquos Facebook pagebull Nearly half the participants are already

noticing more wildlife in their gardensbull 98 say they are likely to continue to

add habitat elements to their gardens in futureIf your local council is not listed on

the website let them know you would like them to join this award-winning program

ldquoWe have been adding piles of rocks kangaroo grass banksias and grevillea Wanting to make a ladybug house with the kids before the end of the holidays Loving itrdquo mdash SW on Facebook

ldquoI am sitting on the back step drinking my morning coffee and listening to such a variety of birds last night I sat drinking my tea listening to frogs The Habitat Stepping Stones project has in one year totally changed my urban backyardrdquo mdash LT on Facebook

Get involvedFor more information visit wwwhabitatsteppingstonesorgau

TropFutures Cairns

By Eva Fox

In 2015 I was humbled and excited to be nominated as a finalist in the Green Gowns Awards for Staff Excellence in the field of sustainability by my inspiring Manager Celia Hayes at YERRA TAFE Childrenrsquos Services located at Ourimbah University on the NSW Central Coast

The Awards event held in Melbourne was an amazing experience connecting with like-minded professionals from Universities and TAFE programs throughout Australia coming together to celebrate all we know and love about connecting and engaging our students passionately in environmental education

Apart from my passion of working in quality early childhood services for over 25 years with a deep sense of connection for the practical ways we can support the environment through education I have learned so much over my career and now with my colleagues at Hunter TAFE YERRA Childrenrsquos services at Ourimbah University Campus I have been privileged to work with the team at Take 3 - a Marine Debris Initiative including Tim Silverwood and Amanda Marachel to protect our Oceans and sea creatures

The simple yet profoundly impacting message that we can all take three pieces of rubbish with us whenever we leave the beaches or waterways invoked a sense of deep resonation that this is what we can all do to protect our oceans

I have felt so privileged in the last few years to be an important part of the Take 3 team as Early Childhood Programs Co-ordinator and in particular with the development of the Take 3 Preschool Kit Hunter and Newcastle Workshops engagement and now inclusion of the Take 3 Initiative in my Cert III Diploma OOSH and Trainees at TAFE Childrenrsquos Services

I am excited to have taken Take 3 to Bali gifting them our Take 3 Kit

Member Year in ReviewTake 3 for the Sea and how we engage our YERRA Hunter TAFE Childrenrsquos Services

connecting and visiting with Green School Bali Life Sustainable Childrenrsquos Home and an Ubud Home-schooling Initiative

Now I have stepped back from this position in the last 12 months to focus on my teaching at Hunter TAFE YERRA Childrenrsquos Services and as part of this I continue to engage students and our daily Playsession families in the Take 3 for the Sea - MARINE ART CHALLENGE

Through music and language sessions children learn about the initiative through stories felt puppets music and song Through Story Park we asked families to bring rubbish and plastic items they had collected from the beach and the children were invited to place the item where they felt they best suited on the canvas

Our children and many of our toddlers and preschoolers were very excited to talk about the rubbish going away from the ocean creatures and became involved in the process and discussion involved in looking after our beaches waterways and environment

The Take 3 Marine Art Challenge was recently held on the Central Coast supported by Central Coast Council Anyone can approach their council for funding to do the same Here is the artwork in progress for you to enjoy and we look forward to a continued engagement in Take 3 for the Sea

Remember to always Take 3 for the Sea and particularly over the weekends and end of year holiday break Make a difference and Take 3 for the Sea

Fore more information about Take 3 for the Sea visit wwwtake3org

By Kate Keary

Since Seaweek in September the AAEE ME network has been quite busy Wersquove started to develop a Strategic Plan for 2017 and had our first online ldquochatrdquo last week This network has developed into a very collaborative organic network of people with a passion or interest in Marine Education Wersquove planned a series of informal online meetings on various topics for next year These include Marine Education in the Australian

Curriculum Teaching resource development Fundraising and grants The MESA website (wwwmesaeduau)Our Facebook page is our primary avenue for communication and it has become a hub of activity

We have a rapidly growing membership of 236 people with about 20 key players who seem to be particularly keen to share their passion for Marine Education The Monday morning TED share was taken up with keen interest

Wersquore looking forward to further engagement and networking in 2017 for alone we are a drop but together we are an ocean

Upcoming EventsFunding Opportunities Online Chat Our members are keen to chat about funding opportunities for our SIG and for marine education in general If you have anything to add or take away from this discussion wersquod love you to join

When TBA (early February but check our Facebook page to keep updated)

Get involvedAAEE ME would love to see more ldquoland-basedrdquo environmental educators include marine and catchment environments in their education programs

Send Kate an email at katebeachteachcomau or join the Facebook group for some ideas on how Join Facebook GroupWatch Latest Online Chat

Marine Educators SIG (AAEE ME)

ozEEnewsDec 2016

By Patrick ShirvingtonArtistEducator

I donrsquot really know something until I draw it

Professor David Haley maintains ldquodrawing is integral to perception and cognitive understandingrdquo mdash Haley 2010

Contemplation Allowing the world to speakThrough contemplation we begin to experience a deeper sense of the unseen around us As Frederick Franck comments in his book the Zen of Seeing ldquoIn this twentieth century to stop rushing around to sit quietly on the grass to switch off the world and come back to earth to allow the eye to see a willow a bush a cloud a leaf is an unforgettable experienceldquo mdash Franck 1973

ldquoI have learned that what I have not drawn I have not really seen and when I start drawing an ordinary thing I realise how extraordinary it isrdquo mdash Franck 1973 P6

ldquoThe drawing itself as object adds another dimension to the complex subjective experience of object drawing and the drawnrdquo mdash Ashton 2014 p49

To draw is to slow down and contemplate A spontaneous thought put on a surface as a mark a mark creating a spontaneous thought

Phemenoligical DrawingldquoI believe the aim of art is to make real through the imagination that which science cannot articulate through the word allowing the child to connectrdquo

The Nature Of DrawingAs professor Robin Moore

comments ldquoChildren live through their sensesrdquo mdash Louv 2010 p66

Memories are so often related to the senses we remember back to the smell of the Boronia the feel of the rough dry grass under our bare feet the sound of the morning song of the magpie or the association of happiness with the constant buzz of the cicadas at

Drawing as cognition

Christmas time

Character Of The BushI feel that the art of drawing has the power to connect directly enhancing complete immersion in nature

I begin by telling an ecological story utilising the different characters that inhabit the natural world With a piece of paper and pencil students work directly in the landscape identifying plants and creating characters that relate to the stories

The studentrsquos engage with the bushland discovering their own imaginative characters by identifying traits within their chosen species The student becomes more connected and has fun creating their stories

By exposing students to nature through drawing doesnrsquot over-burden them with science and negativity but introduces the journey of wonder and beauty initiating their veneration of the environment Allowing the natural world to present itself lets the student feel a connection to the characters

To experience nature in this way will stimulate a new consciousness inviting the imagination to connect to the natural world as an extension of simply being human This work will endeavour to enhance cognition through reconnecting to nature allowing onersquos observations to elevate a mere objective glance to a memorable experience

ldquoThe arts provide a more comprehensive and insightful education

because they invite students to explore the emotional intuitive and irrational aspects of life that science is hard pressed to explain Humans invented each of the arts as a fundamental way to represent aspects of reality to try to make sense of the world manage life better and share these perceptions with othersrdquo mdash Fowler 1996

For more information visit wwwpatrickshirvingtoncom

ReferencesAshton Alex (2014) Drawing on the ldquoLived ExperiencerdquomdashAn Investigation of Perception Ideation University of the Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia Praxis p49Frank Frederick (1973) The Zen of Seeing seeingDrawing as meditation Vintage books New YorkFowler Charles (1996) Supervision and Curriculum Development Strong Arts Strong Schools The Promising Potential and Shortsighted Disregard of the Arts in American Schooling Oxford University Press P 55 Haley David (2010) as seen online Louv Richard (2010) Last Child in the Woods Atlantic Books United Kingdom P66

By Kalindi Brennan Silkwood School

Wild Mob is a not-for-profit organisation that operates expeditions to wild places integrating the 4Cs philosophy conservation culture community and commerce They are dedicated to taking volunteers to Australiarsquos most beautiful islands and natural environments to save critically endangered species and restore their habitats

With a team made up of scientists ecologists educators and adventurers Wild Mob offers authentic opportunities to connect to community and environment through volunteer-based work while immersed in stunning locations Volunteers learn about cultural assets and gain an understanding of the unique features of island living specifically in terms of sustainability and governance

So what is a Wild Mob adventure like Irsquove had the privilege of engaging in four very different Wild Mob expeditions finding them all rewarding in terms of purpose challenge and adventure Irsquove journeyed to Norfolk Island twice with Year 10 students Lamington National Park with Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh students and Brampton Island with students and other adult volunteers

In terms of student engagement the young people Irsquove journeyed with have been working on their Certificate 3 in Active Volunteering andor Duke of Edinburgh awards Wild Mob expeditions are a great way to clock volunteer and service learning hours

The diversity of activities has included planting out areas of national parks and other identified zones working in national parks nursery weed control and restoration beach and coastal area clean-ups marine debris audits and wildlife surveys with plenty of challenging terrains to traverse A daily schedule generally consists of conservation work education on specific ecosystems culture and community engagement and recreation in the natural environment

My students have given very positive feedback about their Wild Mob expeditions They have expressed

Get Wild Do Things That Matter

their surprise at how much theyrsquove enjoyed the physical work and that their knowledge and ethic of care has increased significantly through the guidance and expertise of Wild Mob project leaders They often engage with wildlife they havenrsquot encountered before which heightens the experience

Students arenrsquot micro-managed nor are activities tokenistic Volunteers are expected to have agency and autonomy and as such students feel their work is worthwhile hands-on and authentically gives back to the natural environment and local community They also value having fun and time to explore so this is woven in with enough flexibility freedom and challenge to support adventurous learning outcomes

In terms of my engagement I loved being able to access natural places

with high conservation and aesthetic value and working to support critically endangered ecosystems with a team of experts and enthusiasts Wild Mob project sites often include national parks and wildlife locations that arenrsquot accessible to the general public This is a positive as itrsquos a real eye-opener to the poor condition of habitats at risk not a surface-level tourism visit You feel like you can deeply connect to a place while doing work that is making a tangible difference to ecosystem stability

Watch this short video from WildMob Norfolk Island - Year 10 httpsvimeocom191724154

What are you waiting for Book a Wild Mob adventure and take a journey that matters Visit wwwwildmoborgevents

Year 10 students at Slaughter Bay Norfolk Island after conducting a marine survey

Year 10 students with marine debris collected at Anson Bay Norfolk Island

Kalila Purtle and Harrison Tippett about to embark on marine survey off Brampton Island North Qld

ozEEnewsDec 2016

Member SpotlightYour name Pascale Miller

Member since December 2016

Your business NurtureNature Education

Your role OwnerManager

Tell us about your businessNurtureNature Education facilitates learning and promotes wellbeing and sustainability by connecting children to nature I am a qualified horticulturalist with years of experience teaching gardening to young children in Melbourne (K-3) I offer a broad range of services including Garden design and gardening services Gardening workshops Educational incursionsexcursions for

inquiry learning Teacher PD training ndash how to use the

outdoors as a classroom Nature-based childrenrsquos parties

What benefits does your organisation provide Children in urban environments have lost their connection to nature and as a result their mental physical and spiritual health is suffering (referred to as lsquoNature-deficit Disorderrsquo) Children need to experience the awe and wonder of nature boost their immune systems with vitamin D exposure to bacterial microbes and negative ions when out in the rain develop upper body strength in climbing trees and fine motor skills when weaving grasses and sowing seeds and learn to feel like an integral part of a larger world when noticing how other plants and animals lsquocommunicatersquo to us (eg how birdsong and ant nest building and the smell of eucalyptus signals when its going to rain) Only when a child discovers that they too are a part of

nature can they truely understand all their actions and choices have a direct environmental consequence To promote a sustainable future we need to first reconnect

What most inspires you about your program I am combining my passions and experience as gardener child educator world traveller and linguist sharing my knowledge with my community As an inquiring mind nature is a wonderful adventure of discovery The enthusiasm of children and my passion is mutually contagious and Irsquom excited to connect with other passionate nature enthusiasts

Anything else yoursquod like to share My website is wwwnurturenaturecomauPlease consider supporting my Pozible Crowdfunding campaign (ending 31st December already 84 of my target is reached) to launch my new business

As you reflect on the events of 2016 and begin planning for 2017 the AJEE Editorial Team invite you to consider submitting a paper for publication in the associationrsquos internationally refereed journal the Australian Journal of Environmental Education (AJEE)

Our association flagship publication presents information and argument to stimulate debate about educational strategies that enhance awareness understandings and actions to broadly promote environmental and social justice Papers may include research articles literature reviews theoretical essays practice case studies critiques or evaluative reports The intent here is to engage a wide academic as well as practitioner audience both locally and internationally and increasing

AJEE 2017 Call for submissionssubscription numbers to AJEE offer an opportunity to share your work

AJEE also includes thesis abstracts as a way of promoting emerging academic scholars in this field so if you have recently completed masters or doctoral level research studies or are an academic supervising higher degree research students we welcome abstract contributions

Submissions amp enquiriesIntending contributors are asked to check and adhere to the AJEE author guidelines

Contributions must be submitted via the ScholarOne submission system

AJEE enquiries should be forwarded to the Journal Editor Professor Amy Cutter-Mackenzie by emailing acuttermscueduau

Win a Conference Registration

The Waste 2017 Conference is the leading conference for the waste management industry in Australia Held from 2-4 May at Opal Cove Resort Coffs Harbour NSWAPPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN TO RECEIVE A FREE REGISTRATION

To apply for a free conference ticket and two nights accommodation download amp complete an Expression of Interest form Applications close 3 February 2017

AAEE Members receive 10 discount on registration fee wwwcoffswasteconferencecomau2017waste

Your AAEE National Executive Council The National Executive Council is drawn from at least four Chapters and has working groups to progress key areas of the association which are listed next to each Council Member The Executive Team is supported by the Liaison Committee to share and update everyone about the Chapters achievements Each Chapter has a nominated person and the contacts are listed below the Executive Council team

EXECUTIVE TEAM

PRESIDENT Mark Caddey NSW

VICE PRESIDENT Graeme Sawyer NT

VICE PRESIDENT Cam Mackenzie QLD

SECRETARY Dr Peta White VIC (Partnerships)

TREASURER Angela Colliver NSW

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Jenny Dudgeon TAS

Assoc Prof Hilary Whitehouse QLD (Communication)

David Butler SA (Professional Development)

Dr Snowy Evans QLD

Kate Harriden ACT

LIAISON COMMITTEE MEMBERS

ACT Lara Lloyed

NSW Grahame Collier

NT Matt Marchesi

QLD Hilary Macleod

SA Megan Schartner

TAS Trish Knight

VIC Cyrelle Field

WA Claire Dunn

CHAPTER CONVENORS

ACT Vivienne Pearce

NSW Sue Burton

NT Graeme Sawyer

QLD Kylie Moses

SA Hugh Kneebone

TAS Jenny Dudgeon

VAEE TBA

WA Dr Jennifer Pearson

ozEEnewsDec 2016

AJEE REvIEWERS INvITED

Have you read the latest Australian Journal of Environmental Education Perhaps one of the below titles interests you Wersquore looking for members to review a selection of titles

How it worksSelect a title of interestProduce a 750-1500 word review within 2 monthsYou keep the book you successfully review

CriteriaRefer to past book reviews as a point of reference When submitting your review include a 50-100 word biography (of yourself) Follow the stylereferencing formatting for AJEE contributors

ContactPeta Whitepetawhitedeakineduau

Titles Available for Review1 Barth M Michelsen G Rieckmann M

amp Thomas I (Eds) (2016) Routledge Handbook of Higher Education for Sustainable Development New York Earthscan from Routledge

Why join AAEEAAEE is Australiarsquos peak professional body for Environmental Educators

AAEE advocates for Environmental Education and promotes best practice It contributes to skills development among educators across the country and internationally

AAEE Member BenefitsAs a member of AAEE you receive access to the following benefitsbull professional development via conferences workshops and seminarsbull the latest Australian EE amp EfS research in the Australian Journal of

Environmental Education bull networking opportunitiesbull up-to-date EE news through monthly e-bulletins and the ozEEnews

quarterly e-newsletterbull discounted registration at our biennial conference and eventsbull substantial discounts on all AAEE publicationsbull participation in Special Interest Group forumsbull participation in State or Territory Chaptersbull a voice to State and Federal governments about your issues as

educatorsbull access to resources in our members section of our website

2 Keating D P (Ed) (2011) Nature and Nurture in Early Child Development New York Cambridge

3 Kibwika P (2006) Learning to Make Change Developing innovation competence for recreating the African university of the 21st century Wageningen Wageningen Academic Publishers

4 Palmer W J (2015) Will Sustainability Fly Aviation fuel options in a low-carbon world Burlington Ashgate Publishing Limited

5 Corcoran P B amp Osana P M (Eds) (2009) Young People Education and Sustainable Development Exploring principals perspectives and praxis Wageningen Wageningen Academic Publishers

6 Kirton J J amp Kokotsis E (2015)

The Global Governance of Climate Change G7 G20 and UN Leadership Burlington Ashgate Publishing Limited

7 Lejano R Ingram M amp Ingram H (2013) The Power of Narrative in Environmental Networks Cambridge MIT Press

8 Derby W M (2015) Place Being Resonance A critical ecohermeneutic approach to education New York Peter Lang

9 Sneddon S amp Pettit A (2015) Sustainability in Action in Early Childhood Settings Blairgowrie Teaching Solutions

10 Smith A Fressoli M Abrol D Around E amp Ely A (2017) Grassroots Innovation Movements New York Earthscan from Routledge

11 Barton J Bragg R Wood C amp Pretty J (Eds) (2016) Green Exercise Linking nature health and well-being New York Earthscan from Routledge

12 Ockwell D amp Byrne R (2017) Sustainable Energy for All Innovation technology and pro-poor green transformations New York Earthscan from Routledge

13 Gould K A amp Lewis T L (2017) Green Gentrification Urban sustainability and the struggle for environmental justice New York Earthscan from Routledge

14 Bice S (2016) Responsible mining Key principles for industry integrity New York Earthscan from Routledge

Contribute to ozEEnewsDo you have a story or program yoursquod like to share with members If yoursquore an AAEE member we invite you to contribute to ozEEnews our quarterly member newsletter

Email your contribution or story idea to the Editor prior to the submission deadline for consideration

Next submission deadline March 2017

Theme Connect amp Collaborate

Email ozeenewsaaeeorgau

Events

Upcoming Events9-12 January Food Fibre amp Agriculture Educators Conference Brisbane

3 February Waste 2017 Conference Registration EoI closes

2-4 May Waste 2017 Conference Coffs Harbour

9-15 Sept WEEC 2017 ndash Save the Date

27-29 Sept 33rd NSW EE Conference Make The Change Coffs Harbour

33rd NSW EE Conference Make the Change27-29 September 2017 Coffs Harbour

Make the Change is a framework that provides a unified coordinated and collaborative approach to sustainability education and engagement across NSW It was developed by AAEE NSW in partnership with NSW Office of Environment and HeritageVisit the Conference Website to register your interest and find out more wwwnsweeconferenceorgau

Learning Circle Online Forum ndash 8 March 2017 4pm (Eastern summer time) Topic Maryland Environmental Literacy StandardsCam Mackenzie (AAEE Vice President) will present on the Environmental Literacy workshop hosted by the World Future Council Forum link available at wwwaaeeorgau Latest News

Design a Bright Future with The Archibull Prize EOIs Open Now

A riot of colourful cows will stampede into schools in 2017 with expressions of interest now open for primary and secondary schools to participate in The Archibull Prize The Archibull Prize is an initiative of Art4Agriculture designed to give young people the skills to connect farmers and the community and to co-create a bright future for Australia Multiple cash prizes up to $1000 are up for grabs as well as the coveted title of Grand Champion Archibull For more information or to complete an Expression of Interest email Art4Agriculture National Program Director Lynne Strong with your contact details lynnestrongart4agriculturecomau

Waste 2017 ConferenceExpressions of Interest Open for Free RegistrationApplications close 3 February 2017

The Waste 2017 Conference is the leading conference for the waste management industry in Australia Held from 2-4 May at Opal Cove Resort Coffs Harbour NSW To apply for a free conference ticket and two nights accommodation download amp complete an Expression of Interest formwwwcoffswasteconferencecomau2017waste

AAEE Conference Report

A Year in Review

The Archibull Prize

Biodiversity Schools pilot

Caring for the reef

Cairns Drain Stencil Project

Invitation to teachers to participate in a PhD research project

Book Launch

Member Year in Review

Get Wild

Member Spotlight

AJEE 2017 Call for submissions

National Executive Council

Executive Member Profile

AJEE Reviewers invited

Upcoming Events