The Common Ills: Reimagining Schools = Reimagining Our Future

Thursday, October 01, 2020

Reimagining Schools = Reimagining Our Future

Bioneers Pulse – updates from the Bioneers Community

Bioneer,

As school systems re-open, online or in-person, the rapidly changing nature of our world is more evident than ever before. The American education system is totally old school, and communities are demanding a 21st century makeover. That includes a more comprehensive education about our nation’s history — the good AND the ugly — and preparing our students to be better stewards of the Earth.

This week, we highlight solutions to building a more impactful and equitable curriculum, so the next generation can learn from the past to lead a better future.

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Virtual Learning Resources: Indigeneity Curriculum

The Bioneers Indigeneity Program is the go-to source for accurate and contemporary information about Indigenous science, media, and curriculum for social change.

To support the use of Bioneers’ original content in the classroom, we’ve developed thematic discussion guides and curriculum bundles aligned with national standards for grades 9-12+. Our curriculum offers educators an invaluable toolkit for optimizing the educational potential of evergreen Bioneers media.

Each bundle teacher instructions, activities, assessment, and additional materials for a week of instruction around a set of themes. All lesson plan objectives and activities are aligned to high school standards for science, social studies/history, and English.

Outdoor Education and COVID-19

Earlier this summer Bioneers featured an interview with the founders of the National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative, Why Outdoor Education May Be the Key to Reopening Schools Safely. The article went viral, leading to a huge increase in inquiries to the initiative and was likely responsible for national coverage from PBS, The Atlantic and others.

Thank you, readers, for your action — when you read, share and reach out to those featured in our articles, real change can result. We encourage you to learn more about the Initiative and how you and your school can get involved.

"Composting Self-Limiting Patterns: Facing Shadow to Turn Towards Our Full Flourishing" with Nina Simons

Bioneers co-founder Nina Simons will be teaching this Guest Master Class on Monday, October 19th, 2020, at 10am PST. This session is part of the Beautiful Leadership Immersion, which takes us into an embodied learning and unlearning adventure. Sign up for this experience now to gain the skills, tools and practices for navigating the relationship between our inner transformation and systemic change.

Eco Schools: Educating for Sustainable Communities | Fritjof Capra, Cheryl Charles, and David Orr

Most American schools are flunking out when it comes to how well they integrate ecological literacy across the curriculum. Many others are doing no better than a C average with the idea that schools should be actively engaged in sustaining the natural and social communities in which schools exist.

In this Bioneers podcast episode, Fritjof Capra, co-founder of the Center for Ecoliteracy, and leading environmental educators Cheryl Charles and David Orr explore what’s working for the A+ schools that are successfully integrating ecological awareness, understanding and practices through the curriculum and the community.

Listen to the full episode here.

Ecological Literacy: Teaching the Next Generation About Sustainable Development

As societies search for ways to become more sustainable, Fritjof Capra suggests incorporating the same principles on which nature’s ecosystems operate. In this essay, “Speaking Nature’s Language: Principles for Sustainability” from the book Ecological Literacy, he leaves a blueprint for building a more resilient world on the foundation of natural concepts, such as interdependence and diversity.

CIIS Public Programs: Fall 2020 Digital Brochure

The California Institute of Integral Studies, a nonprofit dedicated to personal and social transformation, is hosting their 2020 Fall season of virtual discussions and workshops. These events will touch on a broad range of topics, such as compassion, psychedelics, spirituality and more.

Browse the full brochure here.

What We’re Tracking

From the Biomimicry Institute: The Youth Design Challenge (YDC) is a free, hands-on, project-based learning experience that provides classroom and informal educators with a new framework to introduce biomimicry and an interdisciplinary approach to science and environmental literacy. Working in teams with an adult coach, students explore the wonders of the natural world and apply what they learn to create innovations that support a healthier planet.
From Bullfrog Films: The film Symbiotic Earth explores the life and ideas of Lynn Margulis, a brilliant and radical scientist, whose unconventional theories challenged the male-dominated scientific community and are today fundamentally changing how we look at ourselves, evolution, and the environment. In appreciation for teachers’ dedication during these unsettled times, Bullfrog Films is offering educators a 20% discount on licensing Symbiotic Earth for their institutions. With each purchase, educators will receive the bound, hard copy version of the Symbiotic Earth Study Guide.
From Iconic Leaders Rise: Bioneers co-founder Nina Simons is speaking at this free virtual event alongside other renowned leaders from all over the world. They'll be sharing wisdom on how to align with your soul purpose, shift the world through your own personal awakening, and use your voice to inspire and motivate others. Reserve your spot today!