Supporting Ontario EcoSchools: building capacity in schools and school boards to implement environmental initiatives

Environmental education is essential for young Canadians, yet educators have few resources to meet this rising demand. Ontario EcoSchools is addressing this disconnect by providing an environmental certification program and environmental education resources for Ontario elementary and secondary schools. Ontario EcoSchools certification program motivates students, teachers and staff members to implement initiatives to reduce waste, conserve energy, green the schoolyard and improve environmental literacy. Since 2002, Ontario EcoSchools has seen tremendous growth in the number of schools seeking certification, from just 13 schools in 2003 to 1518 schools in 2011. This project will allow Ontario EcoSchools to critically assess schools certification portfolios and onsite actions, determine the type of required environmental education resources and assist with their development of an online community resource database to help schools seeking certification.

Faculty Supervisor:

Ian Colquhoun

Student:

Partner:

Ontario EcoSchools

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education

University:

Western University

Program: