Blogs

Super Sleuth Field Trip - Brent Kennedy

When the stuff we use can no longer be reused, re-imagined, or recycled, it ends up at the landfill, which we got to visit today. Taking a tour of the Ootischenia Landfill was really eye-opening, in terms of all the ways they're trying to minimize just what ends up there, and then what the actual landfill looks like, in terms of size, depth, and smell. We also went to the Brilliant Recycling Centre, which is an impressive operation, with a very impressive machine that can squish the recyclables down to a quarter of the size in which they arrive at the facility.

Our Changing Climate

Today,we were challenged to see how what we think we know about climate change fits into the general understanding of what it is and how it is playing out in our world. And while some at first felt helpless in terms of the obstacles we may be facing in the future, we looked at how much of the Beyond Recycling curriculum really fits into how we all can make a difference, recycle more, bike more, maybe consume a bit less, all which will decrease our eco-footprint and help combat climate change.

Eco-Challenge Wrap Up!

We looked at the points in our Eco Challenge Booklet for our class. We found out that we made positive changes for our environment by saving enough water to fill an Olympic size pool. We also saved so much energy to run a fridge for over 23 years. By shopping closer to home we have saved enough kms to go around the world 5 times. We also saved enough garbage from going to the land fill that is the weight of 3 big male bears. All our points added up to 1150.00. We will wait to see how other classes are going to do.

Trash 2 Treasure

Today in Beyond Recycling we set up displays in the library of Trash to Treasure projects. We invited classes from Twin Rivers and a class from Castlegar Primary to show off our projects and to explain what we did. The projects had to be made from old trash, they had to be useful and nothing new could be bought. Some of the projects were for fun, like a catipult, sligshot and a pop bottle bowling game which the grade ones really enjoyed. Other projects were for decoration, like candle holders made of cans, wind chimes and a wheely bird.

Eco-Challenge - A Reason to Celebrate

The Family Eco-Challenge wrapped up today at Brent Kennedy. While the results aren't yet calculated for the class, we certainly can celebrate what was learned and habits that might have changed with motivated and keen students such as Jonathan. Not only did he check for drafts in the house (and, with his parents, fix the leaky spots), he put the electrical chargers he used on a power bar (along with the family's t.v.) that he turns off at night, and, with Fortis's help, changed all but one of the family's light bulbs over to compact fluorescent. And that's only what was mentioned in class!

My Eco Handprint in Jaffray

Last week, we looked at how our actions can have a negative impact on the earth. This week, we took a different perspective and looked at how our actions can have a positive impact. We also started the Beyond Recycling Family Eco Challenge. Through the Eco Challenge we will have a chance to look at what goes on in our homes with regards to energy, water, heat, waste and transportation. Students went home with their Eco Challenge booklets to look deeper into their homes and take the Eco Challenge.

True Cost of Food in Fernie

Do you know where your food comes from?

We looked at the what our food really costs our planet during the True Cost of Food lesson. Thinking about what we choose to eat is an easy way to reduce the size of our footprint. We watched the True Cost of Food movie http://www.sierraclub.org/truecostoffood/

Our Energy Debate

Monday saw Fossil Fuels, Nuclear, Solar, Wind and Hydro-Electric take on each other, out to prove why they were the very best source of energy (and why their worthy opponents were not). It certainly was easier for some groups than for others, to argue all the benefits of their selected energy source, and was very interesting (and surprising to some) to hear the compelling arguments Nuclear presented.

Jaffray understands how Every Little Bit Counts

This week we looked at where we get our energy from and how it gets to our homes and schools. We played a game that helped the students follow the path from hydro dam to electrical socket and all the steps in between. We also looked at the impacts of energy production from nuclear waste to habitat loss.

Fernie examines Our Changing Climate

This week we looked at our climate and how it has changed over time. We looked at the greenhouse effect and how our atmosphere protects us and allows life to exist on our planet. Students expressed some frustration about how it has all been left in their hands. We examined how climate change is occurring and how it will impact our forests, our watersheds and our way of life. Students noted how a change in our water can effect our lives in many different areas.