SUNSHIP EARTH

Overview

We think of our Sunship Earth (grade 5 - 6) program as a 'retraining' process for young human passengers - an orientation to the nature and importance of their journey. We want to acquaint young people with the earth as their place in space, help them get to know it better through first hand contact, and then convey some basic understandings of how it's life systems function. In addition, we want to help them see that they have a dual role as passenger and crew member and, finally, give each one of them a chance to explore the personal significance behind this new awareness.

Objective

Sunship Earth is based on a simple premise: the earth needs more caretakers to champion the existence of other living things; people who are interested in lessening their own impact on the earth and its life; people who are passionate about ongoing learning about how life on our earth really works, and people who will share their understandings with others. The new Sunship Earth program aims to accomplish the aforementioned objectives along with fostering in students a sense of discovery and appreciation for the earth and its life.

Sunship Earth sets out to promote a way of viewing the natural world that will encourage a loving, caring interest in it. It is based on the belief that a fuller understanding and appreciation of our relationship with the earth will lead people to take positive environmental actions, building lifestyles that fit more harmoniously with the systems which support all life on this planet.

Goals

The goals of the program are stated as as follows:

1. Integrated Curriculum - provide a total learning experience that spans the breadth of Alberta Learning's program of studies
2. Planetary Awareness - understanding our place in space
3. Sensory Awareness - the richness and beauty of our planet
4. Ecological Understanding - Sunship Earth's Systems Of Life
5. Environmental Consciousness - our responsibilities as passengers and crew - learning to live more in harmony with the earth's natural systems