350 could well be the most important number in the world at the moment.
350–as in parts per million, is the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our
atmosphere and is included in the Draft UN resolution.
As a lead up to COP15, the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen being held in December several activities are being planned. Participants from all corners of the world are contributing and you can too.
The international Day of Climate Action will occur on the 24th (coincidentally United Nations Day) and that’s where 350 comes in.
At 350.org you can read about the science behind this number. Other websites of interest include The World is Ready ; A Climate for Change and WWF- Climate Trackers.
Proclamation Day 21 October 1890 marked Western Australia being granted responsible (self) government.
The Celebrate WA website has information about the historic significance of the day and the many events which are happening during the week.
Special events include Government House being open to the public every day during the week, a community picnic at Whiteman Park and “Our Story, Our Treasures” exhibition at the State Library.
The CMIS Evaluatin website theme page for Western Australia has other resources to explore.
The National Water Week website is the portal to a national schedule of programs and events that encourage protection, rehabilitation and improvement of water environments such as streams, wetlands, waterways, beaches, and estuaries. This year, the theme for National Water Week is ‘Securing Our Water Future’.
As part of the AUSSI-WA celebrations, a teacher from each region of Ribbons of Blue will be acknowledged for their long term committment to the program.
Several teachers from each region are invited to the evening. These awards will mark the 20th anniversary of Ribbons of Blue in WA.
Other resources can be found on the WATER Theme on the CMIS website
The first Peace Day was celebrated on September 21, 1982 and officially declared in 2002.
The video above is of a song from the International Day Of Peace Alliance – a group in Brisbane which has initiated a project for schools - Peace Doves for Children in Conflict Zones . The aim is show support for children in Conflict Areas by sending them paper doves. An instuction sheet can be found at this linkIf your school doesn’t want to send the doves away, why not display them in the classroom or in Peace Trees around the school.
The Culture of Peace is a new initiative aimed at uniting the strenghts of existing organisations to build peace for future generations. It will be the Internet anchor for a Global World Peace Celebrations website where people from around the world can post videos and messages relating to the achievemnet of peace through environmental sustainabiulity.
11 Days of Global Unity Sept. 11-21 is an annual promotion of peace, justice and environmental responsibility that communities and organizations take part in around the world. It culminates on U.N. International Day of Peace.
Resources to support Peace Studies can be found on the CMIS Resource Bank.
To coincide with 2009 being the year of the Blood Donor, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service has launched a new interactive website aimed at students in years 7-1o.
Blood Buddies is a cross-curricular site which allows students to discover the why and how of Blood Donation. There is a Virtual Blood Donor Tour which takes the user through what happens when one donates and the requirements of being a donor. The site also explains the science of blood and uncovers some of the myths associatied with donating blood. Teachers’ Notes with curriculum links are included on the site.
Students are future blood donors and this site is a valuable tool in encouraging them to consider becoming donors when they are old enough.
Did you know that the Australian flag is the only national flag that has ever flown over an entire continent?
It has done so since it was first raised on the site of the new Capital City in 1908. The flag was first flown in 1901 over the dome of the Exhibition Building in Melbourne which then housed the Parliament.
For this 108th Anniversary of the Australian Flag being flown for the first time, schools are encouraged to hold flag raising ceremonies on the day. Information about the flag can be found on the Australian National Flag Association website along with messages from the Governor-General and other dignitaries. Teachers can also find information on lessons. and a timeline of events. A blank flag for colouring can be found at this page and a video of the Story of the Flag is also available for download from the website.
On the Federal Government website It’s an Honour, there is some excellent information about the significance of flag elements and protocols to be followed when flying the flag. Schools can obtain a free copy of the publication Australian flags from electorate offices of Federal Members of Parliament and Senators. A brochure guide about National Flag Day can be downloaded from the website.
The Northbridge History Project was begun in 2007 with a view to recording the stories and growth of the area since the colonisation of Perth in 1829.
Since its inception many people and different agencies have cooperated to bring together the hidden stories of this historic area of Perth city. Every year a special day is set aside to bring together some of the interest groups to pool their collective knowledge and to ensure that following generations are made aware of the special place Northbridge has in the State’s History. To be part of the 2010 Studies Day, interested people can register by emailing the project. Often students have availed themselves of the opportunity to be part of the Research Team to discover the colourful past of Northbridge.
“Northbridge is a fascinating and complex area, originally part of an interconnected freshwater lake system occupied by the Nyoongar people. Through repeated waves of migration, nearly fifty different nationalities and ethnic groups have called the area ‘home’ at one time or another.”
Recently the project launched a set of Curriculum Materials for students in years 8 to 11 Local History Studies. These are currently available on CD and the Project management is keen to send them out to schools. As well as the CD and the main website, WA DET teachers can access related Curriculum Resources in the K10 Syllabus through the portal. The Northbridge History Project is an excellent way to study local history.
For other Local History the CMIS Theme page – Western Australia has some good starting points.
With 2009 being the International year of Astronomy the Big Aussie Star Hunt is an ideal way to celebrate the event. It features a virtual tour and Indigenous Astronomy. There is also a Teacher Info section.
More activities are available on the National Science Week website including HELLO from Earth. This site is collecting messages that will be sent to Gliese 581d, a planet outside our Solar System which may support life. Register on the site to send your message before the deadline: 5pm Monday 24 August 2009 Sydney time (07:00 GMT Monday 24 August 2009)
The ScienceNetworkWA has a myriad of events in different locations around the state. Check out where in the FLYER
and the special SCHOOLS section of the website.
For further Scientific ideas check out the CMIS Website Themes page for suitable topics.
For the children at your school who can’t get enough of the continuing adventures of the Samurai Kids the series web space will help pass the time as they await the newest book. There are lots of activities for teachers to use in the classroom and students to access for fun, such as the “Samurai Kids” Forum and quizzes.
The Teacher Resources include a newsletter, a one act play and classroom ideas sheet to use with the books. The first two books were on the 2009 Primary Focus list. Information about these books can be found at the following links on the CMIS Resource Bank – White Crane and Owl Ninja
The CMIS Evaluation Blog is published by Curriculum Materials Information Services (CMIS), Department of Education and Training, Western Australia. It is designed to provide news about current events, resources and research to assist staff in schools to become aware of the most up-to-date, relevant resources for learning and teaching. The CMIS Evaluation Blog is supported by 3 specialist blogs: Fiction Focus, Primary Focus and Technology Focus.
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