Nurturing Awe and Wonder
Nurturing Environmental Awareness and Responsibility
Activities To Nurturing Awe and Wonder
Nature Photography/Video contest
Evolutionary Timeline Activity (link)
Plan trips to outdoor education centres and/or conservation areas
Ask students to map sunset every night for a month
Make powerpoint presentation, YouTube Video, Ipod presentation, collage, or newspaper with an environmental or nature theme
Movies
"Suzuki Speaks" is an educational video about the essence of Earth + Air + Fire + Water = Life. In a time when people are thirsty for honesty, inspiration, meaning and global change, comes renowned scientist and visionary Dr. David Suzuki, delivering the most important message of his career: what it means to be fully human in our interconnected universe. The film's stunning motion graphics weave a tapestry that transforms Dr. Suzuki's wisdom into a complete sensory experience, literally creating new worlds and new ways of seeing. Suzuki Speaks will leave you feeling renewed, challenged and alive.
Planet Earth/The Blue Planet is a multi-award winning series contains amazing footage of the natural world. It is described by its makers as “the definitive look at the diversity of our planet.” Available at Chapters, Amazon
The Awakening Universe is based on the book The Universe Story by cultural historian Thomas Berry and cosmologist Brian Swimme. This inspiring 15 minute film takes one on a journey, from the birth of the Universe, through the arising of galaxies, the formation of the Earth, the emergence of life and finally to the development of human consciousness. Includes a 40 minute interview with Brian Swimme. For copies go to: www.awakeninguniverse.com
Prayer
Nurturing awe and wonder - Watching Spring and/or Fall Meditation (link);
Write prayers and coordinate liturgies which include nature/environmental awareness and nurture action
Hold a contemplative lunch/snack (link)
Hold a Cosmic Walk. There are many versions of this available which can be accessed at http://www.threeeyesofuniverse.org/cosmicwalks/TheCosmicWalk.html
Activities to Nurture Environmental Responsibility
Calculate ecological footprint – www.mec.ca/communit/meccomm/ecofoot.htm
Take the One Tonne Challenge – see http://www.seedsfoundation.ca/otc/
David Suzuki Nature Challenge – http://www.davidsuzuki.org/NatureChallenge/
Do an energy or waste audit of your home, your school
Coordinate a used battery collection at school. Batteries should not be disposed of in the regular waste stream. They need to be taken to the local toxic waste disposal site.
Ask students to start environmental projects at home – composting, monitoring electricity use
Coordinate “Buy Nothing Day” awareness at school in order to make links between consumerism and environmental degradation – www.adbusters.org/metas/eco/bnd
Challenge students to undertake service projects with environmental themes - Creek clean up, park clean up, tree planting, etc
Write advocacy letters with an environmental theme – go to www.globalresponse.org for campaigns related to environmental themes
Poster – The Green Rule. Available at www.faith-commongood.net/resources/index.asp