STAGE 2B: EXPLORE YOUR SCHOOL

The ‘Explore’ phase includes activities in which they can explore the concept or skill. They grapple with the problem or phenomenon and describe it in their own words. This phase allows students to acquire a common set of experiences that they can use to help each other make sense of the new concept or skill.

Explore Step 2.4: 
Assessing current school sustainability practices

Suggested Subject Area: Environmental Education, Geography and Literacy

Purpose
To provide students with opportunities to:

• Have a focus for the forthcoming experiences in the ‘Explain’ stage of the inquiry
  
• Evaluate source information
  
• Discuss, evaluate and make decisions about actions other schools are taking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to a changing climate and create sustainable schools.
  

Preparation
You will need:

• Access to the Internet
• Resource 1.1

Procedure
Review the sorts of actions schools have undertaken to tackle climate change and create sustainable schools. 

Evaluate these sources using the rubric in your learning journal.

• Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) http://www.environment.gov.au/education/aussi/case-studies/index.html
• Carbo Schools http://www.carboeurope.org/education/
  
• Green School http://www.greenschool.org/
  
• Eco Schools http://www.eco-schools.org/
  

Discussion
Encourage students to research and describe the various student projects and initiatives in use within one or more of these programs that encourage schools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Next - STEP 2.5: Explore continued