Earth Smart Science

2012

Earth Smart Science program for State Primary Schools

Background• During its 2009 election campaign, the Queensland

Government committed $5.8 million over three years to expand the number of environmentally sustainable Earth Smart Science (ESS) schools from 60 to 1000 and declared 2010 as the Year of Environmental Sustainability in Schools.

What are Earth Smart Science schools?

Earth Smart Science schools will:• work to reduce their ecological footprint through the

development and implementation of School Environment Management Plans (SEMPs)

• focus on waste minimisation, water conservation, energy efficiency and biodiversity improvements

• work with QESSI hubs who will assist the schools to develop their School Environment Management Plan SEMP and begin (or continue) their journey becoming an “Earth Smart School”

Project ObjectivesThe Earth Smart Science program will:• foster knowledge and commitment to environmental

sustainability within Queensland state primary schools through a whole of school approach

• reduce the ecological footprint of state primary schools across Queensland

• have 1000 Queensland state primary schools in the ESS program, including P – 10 and P – 12 by 2012– High schools, special and non-state schools are not targeted

through this program

Criteria for success• Number of schools participating in the program by 2012

– 1000• Completion of School Environment Management Plan

(SEMP)• Achievement of overall reduction in water, energy and

waste• Biodiversity improvement

Accountabilities – Schools

• School Environmental Management Plan (SEMP)• Ecological footprint• Water• Energy• Waste• Biodiversity

School targets • Completion and implementation of their SEMP• Biodiversity improvements• By 2012

– Overall school water consumption reduced by 15%

– Overall school energy consumption reduced by 30%

– Overall school waste consumption reduced by 50%

Schools - considerations• Schools that have already implemented positive

changes – what does this mean?• Baseline data – where will it be taken from?• Energy targets – how will schools reduce their energy

targets when air conditioning and the number of computers have increased?

Schools - Curriculum• Science – sustainability embedded within the C2C

science curriculum• SOSE – sustainability embedded within the SOSE

curriculum• Science Spark partnerships• Link with the National Curriculum• Resources to support• Sharing and networking

As part of the Earth Smart Science program, schools receive:• 3 days TRS for SEMP planning, PD, support• assistance in building community links • opportunities to work with leaders in the field• assistance by QESSI hubs to link with partners to

enrich learning • the chance to make a difference for the future

Regional hub facilitators responsibilities

• Create Regional Action Plans (RAPs)• Allocate schools-15-22 new schools each year• Assisting schools with SEMPs• Delivery of professional development• Supporting school curriculum development eg C2C

Reporting - Schools• Completion of SEMP • Queensland sustainable schools website

– Water reductions (target 15%)– Energy reductions (target 30%)– Waste reductions (target 50%)

• Biodiversity improvements

How will the ESS program work?Builds on the QESSI initiative.

Hubs work collaboratively with service providers of environmental education programs such as:EnergyWiseWaterwiseReef GuardiansGreen and Healthy SchoolsCentral Qld Local Govt Association (CQLGA)Plant SmartFitzroy River and Coastal CatchmentsQueensland Museum

The ESS program will link with other Education Queensland environmental sustainability initiatives including the $60 million Solar and Energy Efficiency in Schools program, the Science Spark program and the Kids teaching Kids program.

For further information please contact:

NKIEEC Earth Smart Science program facilitator:

Gary Holmesgholm8@eq.edu.auPh 0438284336