Education for Sustainability

This course offers a programme of learning based on a potential of 14 internal credits only.   

Learning is hands-on and involves Project-based learning in which you will find a Personal Action Project (PAP),  manage the PAP project plan, be able to demonstrate progress (checkpoints) and be able to demonstrate the delivery of actual outcomes of change across the four aspects of sustainability.  Its not a subject for day dreamers!  

You are strongly encouaged to engage with External Stakeholders/Organisations across our Community /City in the undertaking of your Personal Action Project (PAP). 

You also have the option to gained a further 5 internal credits by completing a strategy for an "real" organisation. 

You may have a developing knowledge of sustainability and the environment from Geography and /or Science at Level 1 or Level 2.  Education for Sustainability requires a high level of English, so you should have 12 credits in English to ensure success and have passed 1 external exam in English Level 2.    

You should be interested in our planet and the ideas of sustainability and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the natural, cultural and built environment. You will have a willingness to discover and explore the environment on a local, regional, national and global scale. You also are willing to get involved in field studies and advocacy within our community,  i.e. you are hands-on with the ability to lead or support a project while working with external stakeholders in order to carry out a personal action project that will bring about change for a sustainable future. 

At Level 3, we will explore a variety of different environments both locally, nationally and globally within and beyond the classroom learning environment.  You will apply relevant concepts and terminology to both your internal and external assessments, showing insight and understanding of the topics you will study throughout the year. 

Inquiry topics you will research and study in 2024 may include: opportunities to work on projects with guest speakers and /or external community stakeholders via undertaking a personal action project of your choice in order to bring about a change for a sustainable future.  For example, banning the sale of palm oil products (or similar) in our school cafe, stream monitoring or pest control practices;  Exploring how different worldview perspectives and their practices contribute to sustainability;  Evaluating the impact of policies on a sustainable future e.g Predator Free 2050, Eco-Tourism; Participate in field trips to, for example, a Marine Reserve that supports your learning by experiencing first-hand issues facing our oceans and how people are responding to improve these environments. 

Learning will take place within the classroom and beyond with two field trips taking our learning and discovery beyond the classroom to support your understanding of your assessments.

How will this course be assessed?

This course will be assessed using a combination of Internal Assessments and External Reports submissions that will be completed during the course of your study this year. 

Please note that Level 3 Education for Sustainability (EfS3) does NOT have a written exam in November.  Instead, you will complete 1 and/or 2 External Report Submissions throughout the year.  These are due to NZQA in October having been completed during in-class and outside of class time.

Assessments will require you to demonstrate your understanding of concepts in relation to case studies using graphs, maps, diagrams and written paragraph answers using relevant terminology and concepts to show understanding of the topic.  It is intended that the Internal Assessments and learnings can potentially support your chosen topics for your External Report Assessments.

This course offers you the potential of 15 to 19 credits depending on your learning programme. 

Students are expected to complete ALL coursework on time and to their highest abilities. 

Will there be any FAOs (Further Assessment Opportunities)?

Level 3 Education for Sustainability (EfS3) does not offer FAO given the potential of 15 internal credit opportunities within the year as well as the option of a potential 9 external credits via two external research report submissions. 

Resubmission 

Resubmission will only be allowed where a student has gained a "Non-Achieved" grade.  This opportunity would enable a student to gain an Achieved grade only.  

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The purpose of learning beyond the classroom is to connect with natural environments to understand and experience the interactions between people and environments through field investigations and guest speakers.

Field Trip in Term 1:  Marine Reserve

The purpose of learning is to explore and understand the interactions of human activity on ocean environments (biophysical) and its implications.  You will explore solutions and draw conclusions on their effectiveness for a sustainable future.

This field trip is a fantastic additional opportunity to support the learning of Education for Sustainability concepts and skills in an authentic environment.

Cost: (estimate TBC only) $100 per student.  This cost includes ALL transportation and access to the Marine Reserve Education Centre.  Please note that the cost is subject to class numbers and external provider price increases and is not compulsory. 

Optional Field Trip in Term 2:  Rotorua 2 days / 1 Night.   

You will have the opportunity to join the Level 3 Geography Class Trip to Rotorua.  Attending this trip is optional.  

This field trip is a fantastic additional opportunity to support the learning of Education for Sustainability concepts and skills in an authentic environment.

Cost: (estimate only) $450 per student.  This cost includes ALL accommodation, transportation, guides/guest speakers and meals.   Please note that the cost is subject to class numbers and not compulsory.