Laura Bamsey is the director of programs for the Elements Society.
Learning is not a one-way street between teachers and students. Adults can learn plenty from children. Capturing the ideas, enthusiasm and creativity of students can benefit a school’s sustainability initiatives.
Students can be the eyes and ears for new sustainability innovations, said the director of programs for the Elements Society, Laura Bamsey. Elements Society runs Destination Conservation, a student-driven environmental education program in schools across Alberta and British Columbia.
“The best thing is listening to the students, to hear what they see as a problem or a challenge. And provide them with the tools to see what those problems or challenging are,” said Bamsey, who has been working with the Destination Conservation program for eight years.
School energy programs and sustainability projects work best when they capture the passion of students. Not only does it promote improved environmental awareness in the students, but it can assist schools and districts in meeting their energy and sustainability goals.
Helping students know what to look for is the first step.
“It’s about making observations about what is going on around the school and seeing where those challenges and problems are.”
Integrating sustainability principles into classrooms keeps energy efficiency, waste management and water consumption on the forefront of students’ minds.
From there, communication pathways between students and energy managers should be simple and clear. Whether through letters or formal presentations, students need ways to share ideas with facilities staff.
Destination Conservation facilitates multi-year workshops and programming involves students, teachers, administration, facility managers, custodians and other members of the school community. Through long-term campaigns, students and adults are encouraged to mutually participate on school sustainability projects.
Currently Destination Conservation is working with school districts in Alberta and British Columbia, but the non-profit organization is available to participate with districts from around the country.