In this recorded professional learning session, Greta Dromgool from the Science Learning Hub and Ben Moorhouse from the Department of Conservation share their excitement about environmental action and students learning about, in and for the environment.
Using DOC and Science Learning Hub resources, ideas about environmental action are unpacked, and teachers are supported to inspire and scaffold their students into action at a level that meets the diverse needs of the classroom.
Thank you, this has been so valuable.
Teacher
You may find it easier to download the video and slideshow presentation.
| Topic | Slide show number(s) | Video timecode |
| Introducing the Science Learning Hub and presenters | 1 | 00:00 |
| Index | 2 | 00:10 |
| Purpose | 3 | 00:23 |
| DOC resources | 4–6 | 01:02 |
| Biodiversity | 7–10 | 04:00 |
| Reconnecting with your green space | 11 | 06:19 |
| Reflecting on findings | 12 | 11:20 |
| Connections in your green space | 13 | 13:37 |
| What is environmental action? | 14–18 | 16:08 |
| Goals and vision | 19–21 | 26:51 |
| Decision- making tools, planning and examples | 22–29 | 34:09 |
| Working alongside your community | 30–33 | 41:57 |
| Implementing, monitoring and sharing | 34–36 | 44:16 |
| Funding and supporting action | 37–38 | 46:47 |
| DOC and SLH links, keep in touch and thanks | 39–40 | 47:10 |
Nature of science
Finding authentic contexts for students to authentically participate and contribute can be tricky. Environmental action provides the perfect opportunity for students to make decisions and take action based on their scientific understandings.
Thank you. Appreciate all of the resources and advice. Looking forward to getting into taking some action!
Teacher
Conservation webinar series
This is part of a series of webinars that we have produced in collaboration with the Department of Conservation to showcase their wonderful new resources designed to connect students with the environment.
Related content
The Science Learning Hub has an abundance of resources related to conservation and environmental education. If you would like more support teaching environmental action, have a look at our webinar Taking action for conservation or resources supporting participation in citizen science such as online animal identification or Predator Free 2050. Get inspired with activities such as Observing earthworms and Building homes for tree wētā. For more information, the podcast Snippets about conservation education by Ben Moorhouse provides some excellent information about environmental education.
Rivers and Us – a context for learning is an initiative to help teachers, students and communities investigate water quality in their local area, with the aim of taking action.
Useful citizen science projects to have a look at include the Garden bird survey (see also New Zealand Garden Bird Survey – a context for learning) and iNaturalist.
Help with planning
The interactive Planning pathways using native tree resources groups Hub resources into key science and teaching concepts. It provides a selection of pathways that allow for differing approaches and starting points to assist educators with their planning of lessons and units of work.
Useful links
The Department of Conservation has a range of excellent resources available. In this webinar, we discuss the resources Enhancing biodiversity in your green space and Tools for environmental action. The full collection can be found here.
Connecting with Nature to Care for Ourselves and the Earth highlights the most current and compelling evidence for connecting people with nature.
Acknowledgement
This webinar is another great collaboration between the Department of Conservation and the SLH and was produced with funding from DOC.
