Imagining My Sustainable Community Program Inspires Remote Students to Change Their City
The end of the school year means we can reflect on some of the exciting happenings at Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board over the course of 2020-21. One particular program worth spotlighting is the Imagining My Sustainable Community (IMSC) program from No. 9.
No.9 is an arts organization that uses art and design to bring awareness to environmental concerns. It delivers programs in schools and in the public domain designed to encourage the use of creative thinking to resolve environmental issues and to promote a sustainable lifestyle.
No. 9’s IMSC initiative challenges students to look at ways to improve their own city. The program delivers experiential lessons on how communities work, and inspires and empowers them to create solutions that will improve life in their communities for years to come.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in an effort to reach more students and be more accessible to remote communities, IMSC was delivered completely online for 2020-21. The adaption of the program meant that a series of video modules and digital resources were created by No. 9’s professional designers that replaced their need to be in the classroom.
This shift to remote instruction was great news for our HWDSB remote educators, as IMSC was able to be integrated into classrooms at the Remote Elementary Learning Program. A few of our teachers had wonderful things to say about their experiences with the program.
“Students were provided with the opportunity to use their ideas with the guidance of professionals in order to develop a sustainable community in our area,” said Barbara Dolanjski, remote learning teacher. “Students were given an immense amount of guidance and support and all of the groups worked with professionals who were highly skilled in their knowledge and ability to inspire the students.”
“For students in a remote environment, working in small groups with their hands to build was just what they needed,” remote learning teacher Susan deJonge told us. “As an educator who strives to build community and engagement, No.9 created an environment where students collaborated, took risks, and presented their creative works with pride and energy!”
“Lesson material provided by the IMSC allowed my students to explore different careers and professions and imagine how different members of the city economy work together to make Hamilton grow, change, and stay relevant,” explained Jason Manson, remote learning teacher. “Many of my students expressed that they wanted to be designers, engineers, and various other professionals after working through this project.”
It sounds like both teachers and their students gained some valuable knowledge and experience during their Imagining My Sustainable Community lessons. HWDSB hopes to see this important program from No.9 continue to grow and inspire students for years to come!
Be sure to check out the following links for more information about No 9. and its IMSC program.
Updated on Tuesday, June 29, 2021.