ECO Studies Initiatives
Students involved in ECO Studies have the opportunity to undertake large team oriented projects that not only supplement course curriculum but also allow students to experience real scientific research and design and implement environmental initiatives that give back to the school and surrounding community. Listed below are some of the initiatives ECO Studies students have undertaken:
Climate Change Awareness Campaign: Full school assembly targeting the topic of climate change. The assembly was followed up with activity sessions for grades 7-10.
BLUE CRISIS: An informative and interactive full school assembly aimed at increasing awareness of local and global water related issues. This student devloped and directed presentation was followed up with interactive activity sessions for grades 7-9 at Aldershot.
Earth For Sale: Full school assembly and media campaign to increase student knowledge about the state of the environment from a global perspective with a focus on issues in China. Through new knowledge the student population was challenged to do their part and participate in school wide environmental initiatives as well as encourage their families to reduce their ecological footprints.
Community Air Quality Monitoring Project: Students are trained to read lichen coverage on trees to give an indication of air quality. Each year a significant tree survey is conducted in cooperation with the Aldershot Community Council Environmental Committee and each student develops their own research question to be analyzed using Geographic Information System (GIS) software. The resulting information is presented to the general public at a community meeting.
Grade 7-8 Environmental Leadership Camp: ECO Studies students develop and implement activities to teach grade 7-8 students leadership concepts as well as increasing their understanding of environmental processes.
Grade 7-8 Outdoor Survival Scenario: ECO Studies students develop and implement an experiential program to teach grade 7-8 students basic outdoor survival skills
Tall Grass Prairie Restoration: Students planed and implemented the planting of a Tall Grass Prairie ecosystem representative of local species that would have existed in Burlington prior to settlement. The demonstration plot serves as an educational tool for science classes as well as provides a serene space for reflection and relaxation by the general student body.
West Aldershot Creek Ravine Rehabilitation: The West Aldershot Creek has been flagged by Conservation Halton as a water feature in need of restoration. The ECO Studies class is undertaking a multi-year project to restore the creek's ecological health and develop an educationally significant area adjacent to the school.
ECO Rangers Envrionmental Leadership Program: ECO Studies students have to opportunity to develop leadership skills and apply environmental concepts while facillitating an environmetal leadership program for grade 7 and 8 students. This program aims to engage young environmental leaders to apreaciate the natural world and look for ways they too can make a difference in their school and community.
Crude Impact: Full school assembly and media campaign to increase student knowledge about Energy use and society's dependance on fossil fuels. Following the assembly ECO Studies students facilitated an interactive activity based workshop with grade 7 - 8 students to reinforce the importance of living a more sustainable and envergy efficient lifestyle.
School Native Species Plant Showcase: Students are involved with the ongoing beutification and establishment of a low maintenance 100% native species plant showcase at the front of Aldershot School.
