Kia ora Subscriber First Name

In this newsletter we showcase recent published research, both local and international, that confirms ACEC’s position. The NZCER research paper provides a great research summary and inspiring case studies. One chapter discussed the Bicycle Model on Climate Change Education (Cantell et al. 2019). Read our story of how this model was adapted for use within a Nelson school. 

We will again finish the newsletter off with some great upcoming events, including conferences and short webinars.

ACEC represents a broad group of individuals and organisations working across climate change education. Please get in touch if you would like to find out more or make sure we are connecting with your networks.

New research: Ki te ako āhuarangi tōnui ki Aotearoa | Towards flourishing climate education in Aotearoa New Zealand

This new report from NZCER  draws on literature from te ao Māori and Western/global perspectives, and from six case studies, to explore the question, “What does it look like when climate education is flourishing?”. 

The literature indicates that for climate education to flourish across the system, policy support would need to include interdisciplinary curriculum guidance, teaching resources, teacher professional development, and clarity of long-term vision about the role of education in a world impacted by anthropogenic climate change. 

Case studies include: 

• Te Ahi Kaa, Taita College  

• Climate justice in Year 10 social studies  

• Climate Action Campus, Ōtautahi 

• Climate course, Ao Tawhiti  

• Students from Next Generation Conversation, Ōtautahi 

• Sustainability and climate learning at Hutt Valley High School 

Read the report here

Stories to Save the World Our friends at Climate Club

Our Friends at Climate Club recently shared this document by Futerra, which says that the “Frankenstein” type narrative, where humanity dies at the hands of the monster we’ve created, doesn’t resonate with everyone: we need different stories to reach different people. How about normalising sustainable activity with a bit of gentle comedy? Using indigenous and traditional stories as guides; some relatable characters leading climate action; and action as epic adventures?

Are young climate activists finally being heard?

Research shows that adults support the youth voice to parliament. Read the research here.

80 percent of people globally want stronger climate action by governments according to UN Development Programme survey

Landmark public opinion research reveals overwhelming majority around the world support more ambitious efforts and want to overcome geopolitical differences to fight climate crisis. The biggest ever standalone public opinion survey on climate change, the Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024, shows 80 percent – or four out of five - people globally want their governments to take stronger action to tackle the climate crisis.

Read the report here.

Climate change education pedals forward with help of cutting-edge model

ACEC is proud to support Huringa Āhuarangi: Whakareri Mai Kia Haumaru Āpōpō | Climate Change: Prepare Today, Live Well Tomorrow – a learning programme designed to guide Yrs. 7-10 students through various facets of the climate crisis and its solutions.  Originally developed and piloted by Sian Carvell in Ōtautahi schools in 2018, the Programme underwent an extensive update in 2021. Since then, the programme has been facilitated across the motu by Councils and schools. 

In school terms two and three of 2024, the Programme expanded to eight schools throughout Nelson and Tasman, with funding support from the Nelson and Tasman Councils and facilitation by Dr. Will Stovall.  Carvell, Dr. Ken Taylor, and Stovall are also currently developing the Programme’s newest iteration, which will incorporate recent data and feedback and will launch in October of this year.

Underpinning the Programme’s 2024 refresh will be the practical application of the Bicycle Model on Climate Change Education (Figure 1; Cantell et.al 2019).  This model illustratively affirms that while the teaching of facts is an essential element of climate change education, knowledge is one among several equally important outcomes.  Put simply, comprehensive education on the subject not only equips learners with an understanding of the current state of affairs – it also empowers them to think critically, to envision a positive collective future, and to take hopeful action.

Figure 1: The Bicycle Model on Climate Change Education (Cantell et al. 2019).

In August, students at five intermediate schools throughout Nelson & Tasman were introduced to the Model during the Programme’s fourth of eight modules.  At this stage of their learning, they were well-versed in the importance of ecosystems and biodiversity, the science of the greenhouse effect and ocean acidification, and the impacts of human-caused climate change on natural systems and life on Earth (including on humans).  The Model was used to demonstrate how what they had learned thus far could be applied, and to prepare them for the complex themes of the following four modules (adaptation, mitigation, critical thinking, and worldview, respectively). 

The students responded enthusiastically to this resource, and one class engaged with the Model through a creative art project (Figure 2).  To complement the aspects of the Model as published, some students chose to add additional components – including training wheels for emotional stability and mounted wind turbines to accelerate the bike in a sustainable way! 

Figure 2:  Year 8 Students from Nelson College Preparatory School engage with the Bicycle Model as part of the Climate Change Learning Programme Huringa Āhuarangi: Whakareri Mai Kia Haumaru Āpōpō. Other Nelson/Tasman schools participating in the Programme this term include Nelson Intermediate, Broadgreen Intermediate, Motueka South School, and Upper Moutere School.

Reference:

Cantell, H., Tolppanen, S., Aarnio-Linnanvuori, E., & Lehtonen, A. (2019). Bicycle model on climate change education: Presenting and evaluating a model. Environmental Education Research, 25(5), 717-731.

SDG summit at Massey University

6th September

The ‘How to Achieve the SDGs? Let’s Ask Nature’ Hui will take place at Te Rau Karamū Marae at Massey University’s Pukeahu campus in Wellington. There is only capacity for 60 people to attend this event in person, so please register ASAP if you want to secure a place. Note that if you cannot make it in person, you can opt to view a livestream of the keynote and plenary presentations. For either form of participation, click here to register.  Note that there is no registration fee.

NZAEE conference

Tuesday 1 October 9am-1pm

The NZ Association for Environmental Education is hosting a virtual conference:

“Manawa Taiao, Manawa Ora | Sharing Hope and Action”

Bringing a rangatahi perspective on climate change and intergenerational solutions  will be a focal point of the two keynote speakers: Steve Katene (Deputy Principal Heretaunga Intermediate), and Tyra Begbie.

They will be followed by three rounds of consecutive sessions with a diverse range of speakers including rangatahi, teachers, environmental education providers, researchers and tangata whenua. 

Registration is free for NZAEE members, teachers and students, and $60 for others, which also includes an annual NZAEE membership. 

For more information, and to register please go to the Conference page on the NZAEE website.

Webinar:  Empowering learners through Mana Ora – Students Decarbonising Schools project.

4th October, 1-2pm. 

Rachel Bolstad & Bridget Glasgow

This webinar is part of the Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable World seminar series hosted by the University of Auckland. In 2023 Auckland Council’s Sustainable Schools team piloted a project called Mana Ora: Students Decarbonising Schools.  This project aimed to enable students, with support, to plan and implement action projects linked to decarbonisation within their schools and kura. Eighteen Mana Ora projects were implemented in early childhood, primary, and secondary schools with support from Sustainable Schools advisors. 

In this webinar we discuss the successes and challenges for sustaining climate action learning in schools in Tāmaki Makaurau, and how models like Mana Ora present ways to work with, or around, the limitations of what schools may be able to offer by themselves, due to constraints of time, space, funding, or expertise in climate education.

Zoom link: https://auckland.zoom.us/j/96684621161

Workshop for kaiako & leaders in Ōtautahi

13th November

Do you have a passion for climate action, sustainability and wellbeing but need support to gain traction in your school? Grow Waitaha invites you to register for a free workshop to explore possibilities, form connections, and create action steps. Sign up today! 

Climate 4 Change Workshop | Facebook

Please share:

If you have a friend or colleague who would be interested in the content of this newsletter please forward it to them, and encourage them to sign up via the button below.