home community ecostewardship community connections

education*energy*environment

school showcase

Green Earth
Centennial High Schools Integrated Focus Program

Centennial High School has developed an innovative method of integrating environmental learning into their program. Green Earth – Environmental Studies is a new semester long multi course integrated program that used the environment as a integrating theme for inquiry. Francesca Corbett, the dynamic and passionate teacher designing and implementing the program at Centennial, has engaged students in personally meaningful learning while creating experiences the build citizenship in her students.

Green Earth includes 20 high school credits for participating grade 11 students, including Chem 20, Biology 20, CTS Wildlife, and CTS Energy courses. Francesca teaches all of the courses to her group of 20 students for the entire semester and students take only the Green Earth courses for the semester. The opportunities for community and field based experiential learning are substantial with this program. Green Earth students participated in over 20 field excursions to places such as Fish Creek Provincial Park, Bamfield Marine Science Centre, Cowley Wind Farm, and the Athabasca Oil Sands.

Student learning in core science subjects was enhanced through the integrated approach with CTS modules. The rich context for learning created by focused inquiry of environmental topics has produced resonant personal development experiences for participating students.

Students interested in participating complete an application and meet academic standards for enrolment. The program is targeted at grade 11 students. Opportunities to participate in physical activity is also part of the program including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, scuba diving, and hiking.

Francesca Corbett has been the driving force in the creation and development of this program. She has been successful two years in a row in being awarded $10K grants from BP A+ for Energy to support her program.

Watch for more information about this innovative integrated focus program in the future. Congratulations Centennial High School and Francesca Corbett on the successful launch of this leading edge initiative.

Back to School Showcase

Web Administrator: L. Diemert
Last Modified: September 24, 2011