Together we can accomplish sustainability in unity—small acts multiplied by common efforts, can transform the world!
In SD22, our goal is to help empower students to support climate action and have a positive impact on the environment.
Climate education is more than just teaching about climate change. It provides opportunities for students to genuinely engage in and learn about mindsets and behaviours that are more sustainable. In BC, “K–12 education remains aligned with provincial climate strategies and helps educators, students, families, and communities understand climate impacts, identify actions to prepare and adapt to climate change, and build climate resilience” (BC Ministry of Education).
Taking climate action doesn’t have to be complicated, and even small actions are worth celebrating. When students learn that they are capable of making a positive impact within their communities they are empowered to do just that. When their efforts are recognized, they become inspired, and when they are taught that solutions to climate change are within their reach, they believe it.
Every teacher in every classroom can engage their students in climate action. This webpage is designed to provide you with resources, strategies and initiatives for you to incorporate into your own classes.
Climate Action – Where to Get Started?
Climate change education can be integrated at all levels of learning. The goal is to build awareness and knowledge, increase student capacity for critical thinking and to create action-oriented learning that can lead to positive change. These resources can help get you started!
Climate Action Lessons and Resources
NEW! K-3 Climate Change Education Teaching Resources
K-12 Climate Change Education Teaching Resources
Climate Action Posters (French & English)
Links and Websites
Live It Earth Net Zero Programming
In collaboration with SD22, the City of Vernon and Fortis BC, Live It Earth has proudly produced this Net Zero educational programming.
This 24-minute show features the work of staff and students in CARE and across Vernon. Additional videos include a Deep Dive on local sustainability initiatives, and Career Pathways in climate action planning (see below).
Resources are available to teachers in French and English and include creative writing challenges, reading recommendations and STEM projects.
Click Here for the Highlight Package
To access the Feature Show, please follow these directions to make a free account:
- Scan the QR Code
- Use Passcode FocusedED2023!
- Use your SD22 email address
Trailer
Deep Dive
Career Pathway
Creative Challenge
STEM Challenge
CARE (Climate Action Ripple Effect)
On Thursday, May 29th, 13 teachers and over 300 students participated the Climate Action Ripple Effect (CARE) Expo, a dynamic community event highlighting the creativity and commitment of local youth in tackling climate change. This Expo is the culmination of months of student-led climate action projects developed under the CARE program. Together with community mentors, students created projects within the categories of Nature & Biodiversity, Agriculture & Food, Energy & Buildings, Waste Reduction, Eco-Friendly Transportation, Human Health & Culture, and Economy & Entrepreneurship. This year’s projects included initiatives designed to inform and inspire communities, promote food security and sustainability and encourage eco-conscious lifestyles that are less reliant on fossil fuels.
The CARE Expo offered the public a chance to engage directly with these young changemakers, learn about their projects, and be inspired by their vision for a sustainable future. It also served as a platform to recognize the growing role of youth in climate leadership and community resilience.
This year, CARE also featured the Hillview Hallway of Hope, a photo display representing the hope that Grade 6-7 students feel for climate action, their community and their futures. Grade 2-3 students from Alexis Park also participated in a Voices of Nature Choir performance, where they sang and danced to a selection of ecological songs. In addition to student participation, the event featured interactive community displays with information on local sustainability programs.
The Expo not only showcased the innovative climate solutions of local youth but also demonstrated how the CARE program empowers students to become confident, creative leaders in building a more sustainable future.
CARE Documentaries
Ms. Jacob’s Grade 11/12 Film Class at Fulton created short documentaries for their CARE projects. Click the links below to watch!
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Learning Opportunities Handout
Click here for more information!
Go By Bike
Go By Bike Week in Schools is a fun and empowering initiative that encourages students, teachers, and families to choose cycling as a healthy, eco-friendly way to get to school. This year, schools across the district are hosting celebration stations to promote and recognize students who bike, scooter, or walk to school.
Deep Dive with Live It Earth: Go By Bike!
Last spring, our SD22 Student Trustees had the opportunity to partner with Educational Company Live It Earth. They produced a video documenting the students' CARE project journey. In conjunction with the City of Vernon, the students promoted Go By Bike week and ran celebration stations at schools around the district. Their goal was to bring awareness to eco-friendly modes of transportation and to help students reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate Action in Our Classrooms
Climate education offers a powerful opportunity to strengthen literacy and numeracy skills. By engaging in inquiry-based learning, students develop critical thinking abilities and learn to assess and apply their knowledge effectively. Viewing learning through a sustainability lens encourages cross-curricular connections and helps students understand that they can make a meaningful, positive impact on the environment.
Many of our schools have gardens where students actively participate in the growing and harvesting of food. They use a Farm-to-Table philosophy to demonstrate where our food comes from and the important role that gardening plays in living sustainably. It is the perfect way for students to engage in learning that is meaningful and hands-on!
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Recycling and composting are important ways to ensure that we are taking care of the environment. We are excited for these programs to grow throughout our district.
Join the Vernon Eco Educators
The Vernon Eco Educators (VEE) is a local chapter of EEPSA, and was formed in 2019 by Andrea Harwood-Jones and Suzanna Singh. VEE's mission is:
- To enable teachers to find teaching resources related to the environment and sustainability;
- To link SD22 educators with fellow teacher-experts in topics such as pollinators, gardening, composting, sustainability, grant writing, climate change, and outdoor learning;
- To increase awareness in our District of climate change and sustainability issues;
- To provide practical support and mentorship to youth who are engaged in protecting the environment.
There is a VEE representative at almost every school in the District. For more information, please email aharwood-jones@sd22.bc.ca
DRC Kits Available NOW!!
Click here to link to the DRC.
Primary (K-3)
This kit includes a number of books recommended by Adrienne Gear. These include read-aloud and picture books that help raise awareness of the importance of protecting the environment. Teaching resources are also included.
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Middle Years/Intermediate (4-7)
Many of the books in this kit are focused on engaging students with interesting fiction based in climate action. A number of teaching resources are also included, such as Earth Action, which use magazine style books to help spark critical thinking and inquiry learning around social justice climate topics.
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High School (8-12)
Books in this kit cover topics from understanding climate change to how to engage in meaningful acts of climate justice. Novels and teaching materials are included to help guide students towards meaningful activism and adopting sustainable strategies they can take into adulthood.
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