The World’s Largest Lesson has a guide to learning more about how to talk to young people and children about climate change. The focus is on encouraging honest conversations in classrooms that give hope, whilst not ignoring the reality and scale of the problem. The main themes include Optimism & hope, Changing the narrative, Changing thinking, and Taking learning outside. Details here.
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NAAEE and researchers at the University of Florida (UF) are inviting us to complete a survey on how environmental education professionals and researchers envision its future. The study takes about 15 minutes and focuses on what environmental education should focus on in the next twenty years. If you have any questions about this project, please contact Lauren Watkins at lauryn014@ufl.edu or Dr. Martha Monroe at mcmonroe@ufl.edu Here’s a link to survey.
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A briefing from the Nature Connectedness Research Group at the University of Derby draws together findings from its research into human-nature connections. The purpose is to inform people of the evidence and what it means in practice. There is a lot of detail here including information about 5 pathways to a new relationship with nature.
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Here’s a brief video about the national Let’s Go Zero school campaign. This aims to get every school to be net zero carbon by 2030. This is an ambitious target given the nature of the school estate in the UK. And this is a longer (40 minute) video which introduces Ashden’s latest Awards event. #Ashden20
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A course for teacher educators in universities or school-based provision has been developed by TEESNet (Teacher Education for Equity and Sustainability Network) and the British Council’s Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning (CCGL) programme. Led by Learning for Sustainability Scotland (LfS) and the University of Edinburgh, the course responds to the growing recognition of the need to inspire new teachers’ engagement with issues relevant to young peoples’ development at local and global level. For more information and registration just follow the Eventbrite link.
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Kew Gardens have a free online course for anyone who wants to know more about how climate change relates to plants and what you can do about it. This course is hosted on PropaGate Learning, RBGE’s online learning environment. If you already have a PropaGate account, you don’t need to register and can enrol yourself. More details here.
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The Field Studies Council has launched a range of new digital packages to support fieldwork in geography and biology. Recognising the importance of practical learning and outdoor experiences, FSC want to ensure students can still access this content where physical trips are not always possible. Information here.
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On Tuesday 17th November (1700 to 1830), DERC Co-Director Doug Bourn will discuss themes from his forthcoming book which outlines a distinctive pedagogical approach for education for social change. Reference will be made to historical debates regarding education for democracy, socialism and liberation, but the main focus of the talk will be on an approach to learning that brings in themes of social justice, transformation and the impact of globalisation, with examples given from school, higher education, and youth work. You can sign up here.
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Communicate 2020 (the UK’s conference for environmental communicators) takes place on November 26-27 and registration closes at midnight on November 18th. There are 90+ speakers across 30 different sessions. A final programme is here communicate2020.org.uk and you can register here.
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On the 28th & 29th November, the Marine Biological Association will be holding its annual Young Marine Biologist (YMB) Summit. This online event aims to engage young people aged 14-18 in marine science and conservation, providing inspirational presentations and workshops to show the wide range of opportunities and career pathways available to them. The event will celebrate the start of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science and consider how the ocean may change in the future. More information can be found here.
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The House is a parliamentary-based film and scriptwriting competition for UK student and independent filmmakers. Entries are submitted to your local MP so the competition gives Parliamentarians an opportunity to engage with a grass-roots creative demographic and provides the creative community with a vehicle through which to communicate their issues to legislators. Entries in the 19 and under age category are particularly welcome and are an opportunity to make a film on climate change and engage MPs.
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Surplus Scottish beavers are being sent to England in a controversial policy by NatureScot. Native beavers were hunted to extinction in the 16th century but about 450 have become established along the River Tay, after some were illegally released in 2005. The animals gained legal protection in 2019 but it was announced in May 2020 that 87 beavers had been killed under licence between May and December 2019 in order to prevent damage to farms. Such re-wilding schemes always make excellent topic for environmental science students to focus on, especially as the law of unexpected consequences always seem to come into play.