Apr. 12th, 2011 – Outdoor Orienteering Pictures

YMCA Academy Community, Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning

This week at Brickworks, we learned that people can get around without relying on a GPS (no, seriously!) as we gained outdoor orienteering experience!  We learned about mapping skills and how to use a map and compass, as we roamed and explored all of the trails and habitats around the Brickworks valley ecosystem.  It was a lovely day to walk around and explore the area, as we marked native trees, waterways, animals and plants on our maps. We discovered that spring has truly sprung, as we spotted the first wild tulips of the season.

(Note: The following part works best when read with David Attenborough’s accent.)  We also spotted a rare variety of the “scampering teenager” as we traversed the slopes of the old Brickworks pit in search of the ultimate feast of “trail mix”. The young males of the species often go head to head in an effort to secure the energy necessary to make the long trek home.  Alas, today was a peaceful struggle, and the pride of students returned safely to their migrational pattern.

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Apr. 11th, 2011 – Going Green at the Academy Pt1

YMCA Academy Environmental Stewardship, In the News

Academy teacher Melissa O’Leary has written a short article on “Green” initiatives being taken at the Academy. You can find the article below, or read it on the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s website here.

By Melissa O’Leary, Teacher

At the YMCA Academy, we strive to create an authentic learning environment where our students are challenged to think for themselves and problem solve. We leave the classroom as much as possible — to get students to think outside the box, it helps to literally take them out of it!

Environmental stewardship

The YMCA Academy has developed significant volunteer partnerships within the community, many with an environmental focus. In our closest partnership, we are one of Evergreen’s core stewardship schools. We visit Downsview Park twice a year to plant trees and engage in other essential environmental activities, such as building a native species nursery.

Last year, Academy students visited the Brick Works daily for three weeks to construct a barefoot path for the Children’s Garden. This year students visit Brick Works every other Monday as part of the Healthy Choices Program. They learn more about the environment, doing their part, and eating local and healthy food.

Earth Day cleanup

Students will lead a cleanup of the local park system on April 21 at 1 p.m. We’ll be working our way down through the parks from Charles Street to the Metro-Central YMCA to help reinforce the idea of taking responsibility for our neighborhood. Think globally and act locally!

Mar. 29th, 2011 – Kitchen Session at Brickworks

YMCA Academy Community, Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning, Healthy Living

Another great day with the Healthy Choices Program!  On Monday, March 28, we went to Brickworks for one of the kitchen sessions.  Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver, watch out…here comes the YMCA Academy!  In this session, students learned about reading labels and how to compare products to make the best choice.  We learned that if we can’t pronounce or don’t recognize an ingredient, then it’s not healthy food.  We also learned about shopping the periphery of a grocery store and to stay away from the packaged food in the middle.  Students worked in three teams to prepare a feast of spicy salsa, guacamole and corn chips, yummy home-made mac and cheese, and delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, all made with fresh healthy ingredients.  Afterwards, we enjoyed the fruits of our labour and sat down for a family-style meal.  Well done, Academy chefs!

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Mar. 25th, 2011 – Earth Hour at the Academy

YMCA Academy Environmental Stewardship

Today the Academy celebrated an early Earth Hour by shutting down all computers and lights and gathering together to talk about an environmental champion.  From 11:00am to 12:00pm, we learned more about Dr. Jane Goodall and her work in Gombe with chimpanzees.  To help celebrate the event, we had banana splits as we watched the movie “Wild Chimpanzees” which was generously lent to us by Roots and Shoots, part of the Jane Goodall Institute.  We are all very excited to go hear Dr. Jane Goodall speak at U of T next Friday afternoon, April 1st!  Watch for our blog entry after we meet this amazing and inspirational woman.

Academy students during Earth Hour "powerdown"
Learning about Jane Goodall during Earth Hour (yes the projector is on....)
2 charts visualizing the impact of the 1 hour “Earth Hour” in terms of how many laptops we have on and connected to the network, there is a 4 hours breakdown and a 3 day one, the 3 day one shows a significant change in the “average” visual of our usual days.

Check out the rest of the pictures on our Facebook Page!

Mar. 22nd, 2011 – Planting for a Garden

YMCA Academy Environmental Stewardship, Experiential Learning, Healthy Living, Student Spotlight

The Grade 9 math class planted leeks, tomatoes, cucumbers, and chives today as part of a data collection and graphing unit.  We will be measuring the height of our vegetables over the next few months and then planting most of the vegetables at Evergreen Brick Works in their community garden.