Home Education Westshore - SD62 Eco Academy in the works for EMCS starting Sept 2020

Eco Academy in the works for EMCS starting Sept 2020

Semester-long program at EMCS to focus on environment and sustainability

Eco Academy, EMCS, Sooke, SD62
A full-semester Eco Academy program is pending approval for September 2020 at Edward Milne Community School in Sooke [West Shore Voice News]
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Wednesday January 15, 2020 ~ SOOKE

by Mary Brooke ~ West Shore Voice News

Full registration of 26 students is expected to be easily achieved for a new Eco Academy program that is being developed for launch in September 2020 at Edward Milne Community School (EMCS) in Sooke.

That’s because issues of the environment and sustainability — and how that works within the economy and community — are trending.

Pending approval by the Sooke School District 62 (SD62) Board, the semester-long program will result in four credits toward graduation. Students in Grades 9 and 10 are the target age group.

EMCS, environment, eco academy
Behind the Edward Milne Community School is a greenhouse, outdoor learning space, in a setting of many natural environments to explore. [West Shore Voice News – January 2020 – Mary Brooke]

Rather than four distinct blocks of classes, all blocks will be blended together for an interdisciplinary approach to exploring scientific and social issues through ecology, entrepreneurship, community service, and experiential place-based learning. Learning will be rooted in curricular outcomes, with high standards for extending inquiry, collaboration, and self direction.

Course developers Patrick Gale (who teaches Foods and Nutrition/Science/Sustainability at EMCS) and EMCS Principal Laura Fulton presented the Eco Academy details to the SD62 Education Policy Committee meeting on Tuesday evening, January 7. Also attending was Academies Principal Wayne Kelly.

EMCS, commons area, January 2020
Edward Milne Community School commons area with indoor living garden is part of the high school’s eco-friendly philosophy [West Shore Voice News file photo – January 2020]

It will be up to EMCS to determine the successful applicants based on overall aptitude.

Environment, sustainability, community and entrepreneurial aspects all blended into one program — full-time for the full semester, producing 4 credits. There will be high standards for extending inquiry, collaboration and self direction.

The registration fee of $500 — largely for bus transportation to various outdoor learning locations, and also some guest workshop leaders — will be supported as required; no financial barriers to learning. Registration opens February 3.

EMCS, school exterior, Sooke
Edward Milne Community School (EMCS) is an SD62 high school in Sooke. [West Shore Voice News – January 2020]

West Shore Voice News, January 10 to 12, weekend edition
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