GOOD WORKS
stakeholders would respond to the policies and plans they put together,” says Ms. McGarrigle. Each wedge represented an emission reduction of 20 megatonnes of greenhouse gases, for a total reduction of 120 megatonnes. This would keep Alberta’s greenhouse gas emissions at a constant level. “It was fascinating to hear the dialogue of each of the groups as they argued why one strategy should be chosen over another, and how they came to a consensus,” she says. Once the initial, educational phase of the PEEL project wrapped up, students were encouraged to use what they had learned to effect change at school, in their homes, and in their communities. “They learned that what they do has an impact, and that they have a choice to do something,” says Ms. McGarrigle.
PEEL has already expanded to other grades at Westmount, and plans are afoot to spread it further. PEEL’s founders have talked with Green Learning Canada — which provides classroom teaching tools — about how to make the programming available to other Canadian schools. PEEL supporters would also like to see concepts from the project incorporated into the Alberta school curriculum. “More and more schools are starting to look at sustainability as a key aspect that we need to equip our students with. If you reach them in Grade 4, they can start to understand these concepts and build off of them,” notes Ms. McGarrigle.
PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTION APPRECIATED
As a teacher, Ms. Avey is thankful for the support of the APEGA Members who visited her classroom. They shared specialized content that goes beyond what teachers normally know. “I would love it if more professionals shared their knowledge.” PEEL’s success has also been recognized by the Alberta Emerald Foundation, which annually awards outstanding environmental achievements. PEEL was a finalist in the education category, this year. “Westmount Charter School engaged their students through the PEEL program and was able to present impressive and inspiring results,” says Emerald Foundation spokesman Gregory Caswell. “Our finalists and recipients are often selected for their ability to encourage others to follow in their footsteps. The PEEL program is adaptable to other schools, and as such, will have a positive impact on our youth and the well-being of our environment.” Positive impact indeed. Take it from the students themselves. “I thought it was just like a perfect world before I took this class. And now I know that we’re doing a lot of bad stuff in the world, and we need to change our actions,” notes Rachael King. Adds Alison Roslinski: “We are the next generation. If we don’t learn, we can’t improve. So the first step is learning.”
ENERGY AUDITORS ON THE PROWL
To start, students put on their energy detective hats and conducted an energy audit of their school. Some of their findings: lights left on in empty rooms, monitors left on overnight, projectors plugged in and using phantom power. They also looked for other wasteful situations, like leaking taps in bathrooms. On Earth Day, the initial audit now complete, students launched Turn It Off, a movement to encourage fellow students to be more energy aware. A follow-up audit found considerable improvement. And although they weren’t asked to, students started encouraging their parents to make changes in their lives — by switching to energy-efficient light bulbs, for example, and shutting off their cars instead of letting them idle. For the last phase of PEEL, students celebrated what they learned with the community. An eco-fair in June featured organic food trucks, demonstrations, and displays of student projects. “These kids now have a literacy and understanding of energy and sustainability. They have an entry-point to tackle this incredibly complex topic. They can enter the conversation,” says Ms. Avey. “They are going to be the policymakers of the future, and they realize now the power they have to make an impact.”
Stay at the top of your game... Engineers like Monika know they can look to UCalgary Continuing Education for courses and programs that help develop their business knowledge, as well as their leadership and project management skills. Two certificates ideal for APEGA members include: › Professional Management – Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (PEG) › Available online or in class at the main or downtown campus › Requires APEGA membership › Project Management Fundamentals › Available online or in class at the downtown campus
“
If you have management
responsibilities, this program teaches you the soft skills you need to make your team happy and productive.
”
Monika Toro Serrano. Graduate. Certificate in Professional Management - PEG
conted.ucalgary.ca • 403.220.2988 • good thinking
84 | PEG FALL 2015
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker