Sunday, October 20, 2013

Aster Award Winner!!!

As some of you may or may not know our school has be part of an extensive 4 year study into Toronto's urban bee population. I know that some of you might be thinking "bees at a school, that's crazy!" but not to worry these aren't the kind of bees that will sting you.

PhD candidate Scott MacIvor has been conducting his research for 4 years now to find out which kinds of bees have adapted to Toronto's urban landscape and which ones are being choked out. Bees play a very important role as pollinators, without them our grocery stores, famers' markets, and gardens would look very different.

I wanted to write to his post for two reasons. The first reason is to thank Scott for having our school as part of the study and giving up his own time to talk with our students about his research and the importance of bees in our ecosystems. The second reason is to congratulate him on winning the Toronto Botanical Garden's inaugural Aster Award for his hard work and dedication! He will be receiving this award along side Edward Burtynsky, whom you my remember from my previous post.

WAY TO GO SCOTT!!!


nest box
Scott MacIvor enjoying the fruits of his labour (year 1)

If you'd like to know more about Scott's research click on the link below:
http://torontoist.com/2013/05/does-toronto-need-more-wild-bees/

October Newsletter

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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Water: Burtynsky & Ecological Literacy

At our school this year we have decided to take on the theme of water across the curriculum and the entire school as a way of promoting ecological literacy among our students. 
Recently in Toronto I was able to attend the opening of Edward Burtynsky's new photo exhibition, Water. It was a great conincidence that this exhibit happened to be displayed at the same time that I've been trying to wrap my head around activities that students from kindergarten to grade 8 could do around this massive theme, while at the same time linking it back to the Ontario curriculum in a meaningful way. 
Not only are these photographs massive, but I felt like they moved me in a massive way. It was increadible to see what an impact water has not only had on shaping our way of life, but also how we have shaped water. As well, to accompany this major photo exhibition Burtynsky and documentary film maker Jennifer Baichwal have released their second film, Watermark, which is currently in theatres. 
Looking forward to seeing this theme take shape in our school and really exploring the impact of water!


I've also included a few photographs from the Burtynsky exhibition below, but please check out his website for more of his amazing work from this show.