D4

Mary Laltoo
On education

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My last two articles (Dec. 30 and Jan. 13) presented much of the information from Richard Louv's book, "Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder". Louv describes some recent innovative efforts by educators to boost support for nature in education.

As an example, Howard Gardner, in 1983, developed the theory of multiple intelligences, proposing seven different intelligences in children (Gardner's multiple intelligences were covered in this column in December 2005). Gardner has recently added naturalist intelligence ("nature smart") to his list.

Finland's education system (Finland being the country that routinely performs at the top of the international PISA tests) has students who don't enter school until age seven. The country spends less per student than many other jurisdictions, giving educators a lot of freedom in the "how to" teach area, while adhering to national curriculum requirements. In fact educators are given a lot of social respect, with competition for positions in education schools being intense. Play is encouraged, with students having a 15-minute break outdoors after every 45 minute class. They also believe in environment-based education, with the children interacting with nature on a regular basis.

Louv's book gives many examples of forward-thinking, nature-based studies integrated with curriculum throughout the United States. He backs up his claims with data that shows this type of interaction actually leads to better test results.

In the Metro Moncton area, the City of Moncton has partnered with schools in School District 2 to offer increased outdoor science based nature experiences. Heather Hawker, Forest Management Program Co-ordinator for the Recreation, Parks, Tourism and Culture Department, has developed hands-on environmental programs which are carried out at the Tankville School (the children experience a step back in time in a one room school house atmosphere) of the Irishtown Nature Park and then experience science studies in nature's classroom -- outdoors.

For example, the "Seasons in the Park" series covers topics such as the Acadian forest and habitats associated with it, living and non-living things, N.B. fur bearers program, species at risk in the park, animal tracks and signs and animal homes on snowshoes. There is a class set of snowshoes on hand at the Tankville School, if requested in advance.

Heather tailors the various lessons to the specific needs of the teacher. She will start with a science talk inside the classroom, and then go outdoors on the various trails in the park for interpretative hands-on learning.

Some examples of projects which have seen partnership between the city schools and Heather include:

1. The Grade 12 Environmental science students at Riverview High, under teachers Pam Fowler and Paul Bourque, have their students create "Grand Projects" based on the Irishtown Nature Park, and all the various assets the park has to offer, as well as provide recommendations for future developments in the park.

2. Looking for increased gym time in an outdoor setting, Tanya Thibeau of Queen Elizabeth School has arranged for eight classes to participate in science walks at the Irishtown Nature Park.

3. Partnering with the Turtle Creek Water Treatment Plant, students are divided so that one half of the class will explore the reservoir and watershed management issues while the other half will explore the water treatment plant and learn about the entire drinking water supply system. This partnership sees full bus loads of students able to participate in two tours on the same day.

4. Turtle Creek is also used as a venue for forestry stewardship classes and forestry field day workshops.

5. Environmental classes at HTHS, Mathieu Martin and MacNaughton participate in a provincewide Envirothon NB Program. Throughout the school year the classes learn about various aspects of the environment, culminating in a competition in May every year at UNB. A different theme is chosen each year, with the students preparing presentations on the topic. Heather serves as a resource teacher for these students as they work through their training modules in preparation for the competition.

6. Partnership with the University of Moncton has seen a successful internship program.

The type of work which Heather carries out with students is also available to various interest groups throughout the city. Heather Hawker can be contacted at 383-6700 for more information, as well as consulting the City of Moncton website.

We are truly fortunate to have partnerships such as this available to our students and our citizens. This type of innovative approach to learning serves our students well.

The Innovative Learning Fund is an attempt on the part of the Department of Education to place funds in the hands of teaching staff who have ideas for projects such as these and need some funds to make them happen. The Innovative Learning Fund will be the subject of my next column.

n Mary Laltoo has more than a decade of experience in educational governance in the Metro Moncton region and is still involved in that capacity. Her column on education issues appears in this space every second Tuesday.