ANTARCTIC CLASSROOM |
| CLASSROOM |
|
Here, you can take a look at the great things accomplished by classes that have participated in Antarctic Classroom. There are so many things you can do! And you know, your class can also be featured on this page. Ask your teacher to sign your class up for ANTARCTIC CLASSROOM.
Information for teachers >> |
PAPILLON-D’OR ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL IN VAL-D’OR
We are a grade 6 class at the Papillon-d’Or alternative school in Val-d’Or, Quebec, in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. Our teacher, Chantal Bourgeois, signed us up for a very original project called Antarctic Classroom, through the Antarctic Mission website. Over the past year-and-a-half, we have worked on the following projects:
- The One-Tonne Challenge
- The Switch Off and Unplug campaign
- A school newspaper including many environmental features
- Registration as a Brundtland Green Establishment
- Selling fair-trade and ecologically friendly products (fluorescent light bulbs, chocolate, etc.)
- Making toys from recycled materials
In the following paragraphs, we will present our projects and tell you about our experiences with these projects.
Follow this link to see the steps that we went through to meet the One-Tonne Challenge: http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/calendarclub/index.cfm?attr=0
First of all, we took a test that showed us that we were saving energy (one tonne).
Then, we visited the website mentioned above.
This led us to adopt the Switch Off and Unplug campaign suggested by our student teacher, Isabelle Cosette.
For the Switch Off and Unplug campaign, for one week, we kept track of the time we spent on the computer, watching TV, playing video games and listening to the radio. The following week, we stopped using all of these devices that use electricity. Next, we wrote a report in which we told about how we felt and what we did during the Switch Off and Unplug campaign. Here are some of the students’ comments:
 |
“I wanted to suggest to you that we try the challenge, because it is an unforgettable experience. We learned a lot”
Amélie Désaulnier-Langevin |
 |
“I liked this homework assignment, because I learned how to spend more time with my family than with the television.”
Élisabeth Chartrand-Deschênes |
“I thought the challenge was easy. I didn’t get bored. I thought that the project would be hard
to do, but it turned out to be quite simple.”
Marie-Léa Girouard
“I took my dog out. I went for a walk. I liked it, because we got to try a new experience that I found fun.”
Nicolas Berthelot-Varela
This year, we became a Brundtland Green Establishment. Brundtland establishments have four themes: democracy, solidarity, ecology and pacifism, which we decided to represent with four important people, namely: Laure Waridel, democracy; Paul Gérin-Lajoie, solidarity; David Suzuki, ecology, and the Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso), pacifism.
We also wrote a school newspaper. There were environmental columns, such as the environmental vox populi. Through this column, we asked students questions to find out about their habits and opinions in regard to the environment. The current events column presented articles on environmental theme, for example, recycling or composting.
This year, we had a bright idea: to sell compact fluorescent light bulbs to finance our end-of-the-year trip—an original way to raise funds while helping the environment. We also sold green tea, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, hot chocolate and ground coffee, all fair-trade products.
We took part in an international Recycled Into Toys contest. This contest is a project organized by the organization Club 2/3. It consists in making toys that kids might like entirely out of recycled materials. Several elementary schools took part in this project. Three toys were chosen from each school. Then, the winning toys were exhibited at the Montréal Biodôme.
In conclusion, we know that every little thing we do makes a difference, and we hope that all of the little things we’ve done will inspire you to do the same. If everyone makes a small gesture every day, the environmental will benefit.
Thank you,
Marianne Côté, Vanessa Arseneau, Élisabeth Chartrand-Deschênes, Charles Thibault and all the kids in the grade 6 class.
ÉCOLE OPTIONNELLE YVES-PRÉVOST, FREINET PEDAGOGICAL METHOD
VILLE DE BEAUPORT, QUÉBEC
An Unforgettable Adventure …
Claudie Courcy, teacher of the “Nature Adventurers.”
The Nature Adventurers were fascinated and full of admiration as they kept track of the course of Sedna IV and life aboard ship. Our group, calling themselves the Nature Adventurers, set out to learn more about nature and to do something for the environment.
How delightful it was to be invited by these real-life adventurers, a captain and his crew, to come along on a voyage all the way to Antarctica! We were swept away on a wave of excitement, and the class became faithful weekly visitors to the website, where the crew of Sedna IV opened up a world of wonders for us. We had the impression that we were going along on the voyage as part of the crew.
We followed the links from the Sedna Website to study climate change. Our newfound knowledge gave us further motivation to carry out our mission to make tangible changes to our life habits as well as those of the people around us. We gave our families little environmental challenges to encourage the people around us to change their of lifestyle and consumption habits. The kids’ families were thus involved and sensitized to the environmental cause.
In the spring, one of the parents organized a meeting with town officials to inform parents from our school about composting.
We are proud to have instigated and carried out the following actions:
- We keep a compost pile made up of garbage collected from our snacks.
- We use a vermicomposter in the classroom to make compost. We then use this compost in the garden and flower beds of our arboretum, which we call the Arbovie.
- We made recycling bins for gathering plastic, glass and metal recyclables, and went from class to class to spread the word.
- We recycle paper and cardboard.
- We are careful not to waste water when we wash our hands, and we have put up posters around the school to raise awareness of this issue.
The phone interview with Pascale was an absolutely unforgettable moment. We got to ask our questions and learn more about life on board and the crew’s adventures. As Pascale spoke, we were all enrapt, watching the images conjured in our heads by her words. What a thrill this time was for us, full of with intense emotion and high excitement…unforgettable!
Thank you to the crew of Sedna IV for having risen so magnificently to the challenge of telling the story of their daily lives on board ship and for having answered our messages so dilligently. You have inspired us through your actions, and we now know that every little gesture makes a difference. We shall continue to monitor your progress until your return.
Here’s wishing you fair winds and clear sailing!
Les Aventuriers de la nature (Nature Adventurers)
and Les Moussaillons en action (Young Sailors in Action)
(That’s right! You inspired us to give our class a new name, this year!)
St-Sacrement alternative school in Trois-Rivières
My name is Lise Lacoursière, and I am a kindergarten teacher at the St-Sacrement alternative school in Trois-Rivières, Quebec.
In January of 2005, my kids and I began to study penguins. The children were very enthusiastic about this exciting topic. From posters, books and periodicals, they learned how to distinguish different penguins according to their physical characteristics. They also discovered some essential facts on the lives of emperor penguins in the hostile environment of Antarctica.
After more than two months, their enthusiasm had still not flagged. This is when I got the idea of making a film in which the children, would be the actors. Once I had run the idea by them, the project began to take shape, and we set to work making costumes, writing the script and holding auditions to choose the main actors.
Meanwhile, I sent word home to the parents that I needed volunteers to help make the movie and a video camera. I heard back from one of the dads, who told me that it was his job to make movies and that he was very interested in our project. So the project took on a dimension that I had not anticipated—but when it was done, and the film was presented at the school’s end-of-the-year carnival, everyone who saw it was left speechless. Our film is called Les manchots de l'antarctique (The Penguins of Antarctica), and the producer’s name is Guylain Côté.
Coincidentally, while we were shooting this film, The March of the Penguins was just about to come out in theatres. We of course went to see it in May. It was a Monday evening and the kids were all in their jammies in the company of their favourite cuddly toy and one of their parents. As we left the theatre, we all said, “Whoa! They copied us!”
École Secondaire Rive-Nord
Last spring, as part of a class on ethics and religious culture, having learned about the Antarctic Mission, we were thinking about what we might do, right here at the school, to counteract the effects of climate change. Quite spontaneously, a bold idea came to us. We could use washable dishes instead of disposable dishes. The kids had to make sure their idea was feasible, given the space and equipment available in the kitchen. Then they entered into negotiations with the school and the cafeteria concession holder. Finally, they made a commitment to promote this project among the student body, encouraging students to feel a sense of personal responsibility for environmental issues and asking them to assume the cost of replacing dishes, since the school accepted to make the initial purchase.
When the fall session began, the school was equipped with brand new dishes. Everything went according to plan. A crew of youngsters handles dishwashing in exchange for free meals, and users are very respectful of the new way of doing things.
The kids are so proud! They are pleased with what they have accomplished, but more than that, pleased that they have responded to the challenge to reduce waste. Our lunch-hour waste production has been reduced by half despite the fact that at this time of year, cafeteria services are used by a minority of students.
This initiative by the youngsters at the school has brought about a change in our habits. Producing less waste, eating at a more leisurely pace and being more hygiene-conscious.
This group of kids—the dishes committee—dared to think boldly. Thanks to the open minds and good will of all individuals at the school, we have taken a small step on behalf of the planet. Good job!
Kids of École Secondaire Rive-Nord, you’re great!
Céline Blais
Teacher
A Mission with the Montréal Biodôme
Class of Pierrette Trudel, École Laurentides
All year long, we were on a voyage, through various activities, with the crew of Sedna IV. The Mission of the Sedna IV provided material for our curriculum in French, plastic arts, geography and history. Our field trip to the Biodôme, and the visit of Biodôme interpreters to our school, were most enriching. This adventure will leave its mark on the history of our school and on History with a capital aitch—that is, the history of our planet.
In class, we carried out a number of activities. Here is a partial list:
- research on greenhouse gases
- construction of a mock-up representing the voyage of the Sedna IV
- a finger-paint mural representing the glaciers of Antarctica
- two geographical maps (the Arctic and Antarctica), hand drawn and painted
a book of 26 ways to reduce greenhouse gases
- a papier-mâché emperor penguin named Mic (measuring 1 metre 20)
- a little presentation showcasing the various projects and learnings of each group in the school
- an article for the local newspaper
- a communiqué for all students in the school district
- and finally, a little sea shanty (sung as a round)
Our communication with Sedna IV was a very moving moment. During the videoconference, we were able to call forth much of what we had learned about environmental problems created by greenhouse gases as well as the living conditions of the inhabitants of the Arctic and Antarctica. Based on these learnings, we were able to take tangible action to emphasize our ideas and our rights.
Not only was this a wonderful voyage, it was also a beautiful team adventure in which everyone’s talents—drawing sculpture, writing, research, public speaking etc.—were put to good use.
Many thanks to the Biodôme and the crew of the Sedna IV. Each and every crewmember is an example to young and old alike.
Pierrette Trudel and her 26 sea pups
Nouvelle-Querbes School, Outremont, Quebec
Earth day
AT Nouvelle-Querbes school, we take environmental issues to heart. This is why every year for Earth Day, we organize many activities to mark this event. Some examples: presentation of environmental projects, production of a play, leave-the-car-at-home day, and so on). In addition, we have a adult-child environment committee. Throughout the year, we do things for the environment: composting, encouraging trash-free lunches, sensitizing people to the idea of “drive less, breathe easier”, and a new project this year—napkins made from recycled fabric for every student in the class.
In observance of Earth Day, which took place on 21 April 2006, the kids had a chance to have a live conversation with Sedna IV (which, in passing, gave us materials to put together a very nice booth for the exhibition). During this videoconference, we were fortunate to have Alain Belhumeur at our school. Mr. Belhumeur is a member of the crew that was present on board the Sedna during the first part of her voyage. After the videoconference, we were shown a film produced by the crew.
The children who participated in this activity appreciated the experience greatly…
Thanks to the entire crew!
Jarek Castonguay-Cusson
Grade 6 student
Nouvelle-Querbes school
Notre-Dame school, Terrebonne, Quebec
How can we save water ?
Céline Guilbert, teacher, grade 3
Climate change has had an effect on the St. Lawrence River and our water supply sources. We therefore decided to look for ways of saving water in our daily lives.
Having realized the impact of climate change on the St. Lawrence and our water supply sources, we looked for ways of saving the water that is so precious to human, animal and plant life.
Initially, the kids had to fill in a chart detailing how many times they used water over a period of four days. This included drinking a glass of cold water, flushing the toilet, washing their hair or hands, brushing their teeth and taking a bath or shower. After this, the kids calculated how many litres of water they used to carry out these activities.
Subsequently, after researching the topic on the Internet, the kids were assigned to choose a water-saving technique and to illustrate this technique in a poster. These posters were then posted on the class Web page, and pamphlets were sent home to the parents. The kids then compiled their water usage once again, mentioning the ways in which they had changed their habits (E for economize). We calculated that we were able to save more than 100 litres of water per person, per day.
We then took the opportunity of a school-wide gathering called francofête, to launch our campaign to the entire school. The kids in my class then posted the posters in the halls and in one of the school’s bathrooms. An article in the school newspaper sensitized the entire student body to the urgency of taking action, and three groups of three kids made a presentation on ways of saving water to all three grade-two classes—one group presenting to each class.
Whenever we turn on the tap, we now know that the water that runs out cannot be taken for granted.
Notre-Dame du Rosaire school, Sherbrooke, Quebec
Since January, the kids in Sonia’s grade 3 and 5 classes and Isabelle’s grade 5 class at Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire school, in Sherbrooke, have the wind in their sails. Indeed, we have been following along with the adventures of Sedna IV. Several times per week, we check in to see what’s new with these great modern-day explorers and what they have discovered. We have fallen in love with the Antarctic landscapes and the beauty of the wildlife, which was unfamiliar to us.
When we learned that Adelie penguins are suffering greatly from the effects of global warming, we wanted to find out more about ecological issues and to take action in tangible ways. But our greatest inspiration came when, on March 9th, we had the tremendous privilege of speaking to Pascale Otis over the phone. This gave us the final push we needed to raise anchor and set sail on an exciting adventure.
So, with the assistance of our janitor, Richard, we held a school-wide assembly during which we showed all of the kids how to wash their hands efficiently and ecologically. We conducted major research projects and made information booths to inform all comers (parents, children and teachers) on what we had learned in regard to global warming.
Naturally, throughout the project, the kids remained energetic, enthusiastic, diligent and interested. Taking a hard look at the consequences of climate change each and every day made issues of environmental protection real and interesting for the kids. From there, we sought to raise awareness among friends and family on the importance of recycling and sensible energy use, for the purpose of keeping our little, blue planet healthy. The kids became highly attentive to the small, concrete gestures that can and must be made on a daily basis.
And finally, we celebrated our work by going to the Biodôme. We got a chance to apply what we had learned by taking part in the polar expedition activity and to learn new things about climate change..
Thank you to all the members of Sedna crew for being the source of such great inspiration. We continue to take small steps to improve the lot of our planet. We now understand that every little gesture makes a difference.
How about you? What are you doing for our tiny little planet?
Isabelle Corriveau and Sonia Bolduc
Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire School
Sherbrooke, Quebec
L'école Face is sailing with the wind at its Back
When school activities are connected to life and the world at large…
When the classroom windows open onto far-off lands, such as the continent of Antarctica…
On 16 December 2005, on board the sailboat Alizé, my 24 grade-one students and I set out from Montreal on a voyage to meet Jean Lemire and the crew of the Sedna in Antarctica. Our expedition will last until June2006—six long months along a course strewn with icebergs.
You may be wondering how this incredible adventure began. Well, I’ll tell you…In 2005, the children and I sent some holiday letters of friendship to the crew of Sedna IV. We wanted to be the guardian angels of these men and women who would be facing the cold and solitude on our behalf. Alone, far from civilization, the crew is trying to understand what is happening to our dear planet Earth, at the same time encouraging the citizens of the entire world to make small gestures to help our planet.
Before embarking on the Alizé, the children and their parents were invited to explore the Mission Antarctica website on a weekly basis. My little seafarers were enthralled by the video reports as well as the photo gallery. They were also captivated by captain Jean Lemire’s daily log entries with their anecdotes on the flora and fauna of this untamed continent and their tales of life on board the Sedna IV sailing vessel. So, quite naturally, the idea emerged that we too could set sail for this mysterious frozen continent.
Aboard our sailboat, the Alizé, my little seafarers were happy, humming in chorus the song Pêcher aux Îles-de-la-Madeleine. We made a stop for provisions, accompanied by Caroline, in Australia, recreating a coral reef in our classroom. Continuing on our way in the ocean’s turbulent waters, we soon spotted a huge oil slick covering the blue sea with a black coat. Alarmed by this thick, opaque surface, we looked far and wide for the oil tanker that had left this spill— in vain. We were soon flabbergasted to learn from the coastguard that the tanker in question had sunk to the depths of the ocean floor. Together, the kids and I built this shipwreck along with the rainbow-coloured fish that had metamorphosed into black spots. The children thus learned about the environment. To avoid getting lost, we made a map of Antarctica. This map then guided us to Jean Lemire and his crew—the crew of the Sedna IV. Every morning when they heard the icebreaker’s horn sounding the call to our daily adventure, the children were giddy with excitement. The kids weren’t in French class, they were in Antarctica, with Captain Corinne at the helm, guiding them through icebergs strewn along the path of their learning. They were soon ably tossing around the jargon of the various ship-board trades, the names of marine animals, the parts of a ship… Sensitive and curious, the children learned and had fun at the same time. The little seafarers then made puppets representing the crew of Sedna IV and a miniature sailboat, christened Sedna-Alizé, for each of these characters.
You may be wondering where reality leaves off and dreams take over…But what if our dreams became reality?
On Friday 7 April, the children had the good fortune to communicate directly with the crew of Sedna IV in Antarctica via video-conference. They had the opportunity to ask the crew five questions in a live conference. On this day, a crew from TVA television was also on hand to film the exchange along with all of the children’s presentations on an Antarctic theme. These presentations had been made during our workshops in Frenchas a Second Language and Plastic Arts. The television film crew also recorded the children qua actors in a play directed by Catherine, the drama teacher. The play was a key element, as it showed the tremendous progress made by the children, whether in French as a Second Language or Plastic Arts. Moreover, it gave the kids a way to make the transition from the activities linked to Antarctica to those that will continue until June, featuring a pirate theme. The children will be becoming pirates for the environment setting out to save the planet. For two months, they will be taking tangible actions.
The crew of the sailboat Alizé, along with Captain Corinne, decided to make toys out of recycled objects, to organize bicycling days and to make a garden with plants. Also, a survey will be made, inviting the community to reduce their consumption and to reuse and recycle all material goods. A campaign will also be run to raise awareness of the situation of the planet, using posters made by the children. In addition, our map of Antarctica will set out on a trip around the world. On the first leg of its trip, the map will leave America to fly to Europe—specifically, to the United Nations in Bonn, Germany. Through their poems and drawing, the children will share their solutions for the problems of climate change with the members of the environment programme. Finally, since pirates like to listen to music while they work, a compact disk will be made in a recording studio, with songs from the Magdalen Islands, the homeland of Sedna IV.
Dear Captains, I wanted to share with you this lovely story of fellowship that my little sailors and I are living out with the crew of Sedna IV. I now turn the helm back over to you so that you may set your bearings on that wonderful continent that is Antarctica.
Fair winds and clear sailing!
Corinne Garieri
A passionate and adventuresome teacher
P.S. Special thanks for Jean Lemire and all the crew who inspired us and who welcomed us aboard their sailing ship, the Sedna IV, with such simple kindness and generosity.
Collège Saint-Alphonse, Charlevoix
Our videoconference with the Sedna IV took place on Thursday 16 March.
It was a wonderful experience! Even our mascot, Newton the dog, joined us for the event. Since that day, we have kept in touch with Pascale, and the kids regularly check in with her to get the latest news.
OUR PROJECT
After this meeting, we decided to publish a little newspaper with stories written by the kids to raise awareness of the Antarctic cause among other students at our school. Each student chose a topic from one of the daily log entries for the expedition. For example, one group chose the leopard seal. They will give a brief report to the class, describing the leopard seal’s way of life, habitat, and so on, to make the other kids aware of this creature’s existence.
When everything is finished, we will publish and circulate copies of the newspaper to our student population. Our mission will be to show the other kids that Antarctica is much more than a big block of ice, out of sight and out of mind at the south pole. We want to make people aware of the impact of global warming on all of the living creatures of this distant continent. If each individual succeeds in reaching one other person, we’ll have the impression that we have made a contribution.
On behalf of the kids and myself, I extend my warmest thanks to the entire crew for sharing this magical experience with us.
Marie-Hélène Bouchard, Teacher
Aux Iris school, The Magdalen Islands
The Magdalen Islands, homeland of many of Sedna’s crewmembers, can be proud of their native sons and daughters. Dorine Renaud’s and Nathalie Cyr’s classes at the school Aux Iris, prepared their videoconference with the crew of the Sedna with a great deal of diligence and enthusiasm.
It all began with a viewing of the film Le jour après, which deals with global warming. An animated discussion among the students followed. They then did a good deal of research, viewed explanatory videos, visited the exhibition on Sedna’s Arctic Mission at the Musée de la Mer and gathered data on climate change. They were even lucky enough to meet Serge Boudreau — in the flesh! — just before he left to join the expedition in Antarctica.
Later, the kids put together a PowerPoint slide show and made posters explaining the problem, its sources and possible solutions. Next on the agenda: organizing a debate at the school and setting up an information booth at the Place des Îles shopping centre.
Hearty congratulation to each of these kids for their exceptional contribution to the Antarctic Classroom!
Notre-Dame school in Otterburn Park
The children at the Entre-Amis daycare centre at Notre-Dame school in Otterburn Park are still all aglow from their live conversation with Jean, Pascale and Alain. This video conference-an event to be remembered-gave them a great burst of energy to carry on with the assignment on which they had already begun work. This assignment already has several parts, including a recycling project that involves several partners in the school; activities that aim to give new life to old clothes and unwanted objects, and making cheat-sheets to remind us to make meaningful gestures towards environmental conservation on a daily basis.
Josée and Danielle, the daycare educators who watch over the Ladybugs and Baobabs, made a promise to steer their young mariners towards development of a sustainable awareness through which they can become significant actors for environmental protection in the years to come. The ripples of their actions are spreading through the sea of the community at large, and they hope to bear up as many participants as possible on the rising waves. So, our young mariners will be using a big ship's log book to encourage parents and kids at the school to keep track of the experiences of the Sedna's on a daily basis. In addition, they will be organizing mini-conferences on climate change, featuring special guests who have experienced the grand adventure of Mission Antarctica first hand or from a distance.
Other assignments will follow, for our young mariners have the wind at their backs!
But before setting sail for further adventures, the staff of Entre-Amis wishes to acknowledge the exceptional respect and interest that the crew of the Sedna has shown towards the kids. Each photograph, each article, each conference, calls forth the children's intelligence, their ability to understand, their natural curiosity and their highly sensitive natures.
Many thanks to the crew of the Sedna. May you enjoy fair winds and clear skies throughout this tremendous journey. We have climbed aboard to join you on your beautiful big boat.
Josée Moriss
Danielle Beauchemin
