2019 Final Results

WINNING NOMINATION

Network of Inquiry and Indigenous Education

The NOIIE is made up of inquiry based schools, educators, and school districts in British Columbia and beyond. Using an inquiry-oriented, evidence-based approach to learning and teaching through the Spiral of Inquiry, the Network is dedicated to:

Every learner crossing the stage with dignity, purpose and options
Every learner leaving our settings more curious than when they arrived
All learners gaining an understanding of and respect for Indigenous ways of knowing
Through our collective efforts, eliminating racism in schools

Schools participate by engaging in the Spiral of Inquiry and, annually, submitting case studies to share learning and impact. NOIIE shares resources, case studies and reflections in a spirit of generosity, curiosity and growth. Network schools are also supported by educational leaders as they work towards improving outcomes for all learners.

The NOIIE and the Spiral of Inquiry have already had significant impacts on student and teacher learning and is highly replicable to more schools, districts, and education systems as the framework is easily adaptable by design. Overall, students outcomes include higher academic achievement, better well颅鈥恇eing, and more of a sense of belonging for Indigenous students and awareness and understanding for settler students. Teachers report feeling more connected, supported, energized, and curious about how their actions and learning impacts students. The model of both the network itself and the inquiry methodology builds adaptive expertise and collective efficacy.

NOMINEES

Debbie Leighton-Stephens, Ts鈥檓syen Language Program Support Aboriginal Education Department, SD 52
Judy Halbert, Program Lead, University of British Columbia
Linda Kaser, Program Lead, University of British Columbia

FINALIST

Province-wide Network for Environmental Learning Communities of Practice

The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation Education (HCTF) program contribution is a province-wide network for environmental learning communities of practice. This contribution is a one of a kind, province-wide environmental education innovation dedicated to supporting BC schools, teachers and students with programs, resources and funding to advance environmental literacy and citizenship. The model is built on its large and dedicated WildBC Facilitator Network committed to implementing and managing change in the education ecosystem. By addressing teacher challenges and needs through effective support, professional development and resources to influencing best practices in teaching and learning to result in positive outcomes for students. This model has fulfilled a unique niche in supporting environmental and place-based learning in B.C.

Nominees

Kerrie Mortin, Manager Education, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation

Take a Stand: Youth for Conservation

Take a Stand: Youth for Conservation is an innovative school program that was developed to share and treasure the natural beauty of B.C. with our youth, including its urban-nature areas, and unique coastal wilderness, home to rich First Nations cultures, diverse and productive oceans, and an expansive temperate rainforest.

The Stand team has implemented the program within BC schools centered on screenings of the award-winning documentary film STAND, discussions with the filmmakers, educator resources, and interactive activities as a means of fostering environmental stewardship and leadership in youth from diverse social and economic backgrounds. The team has shared their film and experiences with over 12,400 students at 98 schools in 34 communities in BC, reaching high school students in diverse programs, younger audiences (K-7), and First Nations communities.

Nominees

Allison Kermode, Professor Emeritus, Biological Sciences, 丁香园AV
Norm Hann, Co-Founder & Speaker, Take a Stand for Conservation Program
Nicolas Teichrob, Filmmaker
Anthony Bonello, Filmmaker

CMOLIK HONOR ROLL

The Flexible Studies Program at 脡cole Secondaire Reynolds Secondary School

The Flexible Studies Program at Reynolds Secondary School (Flex) employs a team approach to teaching using an interdisciplinary model weaving English, Social Studies, Science, Career Life Education, Environmental Science, Independent Directed Study, and Flex Service together, while also supporting students鈥� growth as educated and engaged citizens in society.

Nominees: Bradley Cunningham, Heather Coey, Greg Downing, Thomas Aerts

Inquiry Hub: The Dream Create Learn School

Inquiry Hub aims to design a learning environment that encourages students to make their ideas come to life and act as responsible citizens using a combination of several organizational features including: blended learning, inquiry projects, as well as use of Dream Create Learn (DCL) time.

Nominees: John Sarte, David Truss, Alan Soiseth, Diana VanHulsen, Sophia Yu, Travis Cornwall

Take a Hike Program

Take a Hike is a full-time alternate education program that uses the outdoors and adventure to engage vulnerable youth ages 15-18 in school, community and mental health supports.

Nominees: Peter Prediger, Nick Boulding, Phil Cotterill, Gordon Matchett, Adriann Conner

Templeton STEM - An Innovative Model for Inclusive Project-Based Learning

The Templeton Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program is the first of its kind in BC, using an inclusive, student-centred and collaborative model that provides students with the skills to succeed in a complex and rapidly-evolving world.

Nominees: Michael Hengeveld, Carl Janze

AIRS: Artist in Residence Studio Program

The Artist in Residence Studio (AIRS) program is a Vancouver-based initiative for restoring equitable access to long-term, high quality and socially relevant visual arts education for children.

Nominees: Colleen Mieczaniec, Maggie Milne, Suzanne Hoffman, Dorothy Watkins, Peggy Bochun, Gina N. Wong

At-Risk Helping At-Risk: Building Community Connections for Disenfranchised Youth

This program works with disenfranchised youth with abused, neglected, or unwanted horses at Circle F Horse Rescue Society resulting in increases in positive behaviours including social skills, attendance, empathy, community belonging, personal growth, self-effiacy, and energy.

Nominee: Glenda Kohli

Aya7ayulh Chet (Cultural Journeys)

Aya7ayulh Chet (Cultural Journeys) is a Kindergarten to Grade 6 program of choice guided by the principle that all learning is grounded in understanding the connected relationship of Language, Land and Culture. In this program, students learn to respect a shared world view of environmental livability and sustainability related to their physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual learning.

Nominees: Brayden Gordon, Charlene Williams, Matthew Van oostdam, Jenna Lupton, Katrina Lowe, Lindsey Boersma

Connections-based Learning

Connections-based learning is an approach to teaching and learning that leverages the connected world we live in. It's about changing the question from "How can we learn this?" to "Who can we engage as we learn?" With connections-based learning, making meaningful connections drives the learning activities.

Nominee: Sean Robinson

Easy Concepts for Improvising

These workshops and related course materials provide students a prerequisite for success to think differently, and also by integrating imagination and intuition as part of the learning process

Nominee: Edmund (Ted) Hesketh

Streamlining STEM Public Education by Raising a New Generation of STEM Teachers

STEM is a unique approach to public science, technology, engineering and mathematics education revolving around extensive mentorship of teacher-candidates and collaboration with practicing teachers, scientists, families and local communities.

Nominee: Marina Milner-Bolotin

Life After High School Project

The Life After High School Project includes workshops and mentorship activities with presentations, resource packages, and workbooks to help inner-city students achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals.

Nominee: Shawna Narayan

Portable and Affordable Lab Equipment for STEM Education

The "Lab-on-the-go" equipment set provides a cost-effective solution to equipment typically expensive to acquire. The set provides high school graduates and post-secondary students interested in STEM learning with hands-on experience in subjects like Math, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, and also learn the practical applications of some course concepts.

Nominees: Tommy Yang, Zhengdong Cao, David Yin, Hongji Dai

The Student Voice in Teacher Development Program

The synthesis of this program creates mutually beneficial relationships between students, teacher candidates and teaching staff, redefining the traditional roles of students and teachers and allows students to take on positive, active and influential roles in the education system

Nominees: Auton Lum, Alice Dong, Wing Chee Wong

Tinker, Thinker, Storyteller, PIE

The TTSP Project is a multi-year experimentation in teacher collaboration featuring a series of projects, assignments, protocols, strategies, learning resources, and assessments that are inspired by the four themes: Tinker, Thinker, Storyteller, PIE (Place in Education).

Nominees: Glen Thielmann, Trina Chivilo, Ian Leitch, Rob Lewis, Jp Martin, Joe Pereira

The Walking Curriculum: Evoking Wonder and Developing a Sense of Place (K-12)

Based on principles of IEE, the 60 easy-to-use walking-focused activities are designed to engage students鈥� emotions and imaginations with their local natural and cultural communities, to broaden their awareness of the particularities of Place, and to evoke their sense of wonder in learning

Nominee: Gillian Judson