Environmental Lessons & Activities

Web Builders

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Activity

The Web Builders team will be responsible for designing, developing and maintaining the school’s EarthCARE web site. The web site will inform and inspire students, teachers and parents by promoting activities and celebrating successes. The school’s EarthCARE web site provides a platform for the school to tell the world about environmental stewardship.

Responsibilities

Identify 2-6 students with design skills or programming capabilities
Motivate, energize and inspire the students
Answer students’ questions and give advice and guidance as necessary
Organize a regular time in lunch break or after school for students to develop web site
Ensure student access to computers and software as required
Identify mentors in the school and in the community

Steps to Take

Students commit to create and update the web site
Research what EarthCARE information is available to be published
Brainstorm ideas for what information the web site should have. Here are some ideas:
- Details of the school’s EarthCARE activities -- What’s happening, highlighting success, promoting participation
- Audit results: waste, water and electricity
- Profiles of the EC Team members
- Calendar of environmental events at the school
Design an engaging look and feel for the web site with cool graphics and colour scheme
Develop the web pages templates and think carefully about the navigation
Agree to a schedule for updating the web site throughout the year

Communications

Design posters and stickers to go around the school promoting the web site address
Brainstorm creative ways to communicate the web site to students, teachers and parents
Tell friends to tell their friends about the web site
Email the District School Board’s web site asking them to add a link to the school’s site
Launch the web site with an article in the local newspaper or on the radio

Stakeholder Involvement

Speak with teachers about the web site and ask for their contributions
Prepare a presentation to the Principal asking for ideas on how the site could be improved
Ask students in all grades to contribute writing, art, photographs or general suggestions
Write a letter to the school council asking them for feedback on the web site
Think of creative ways for custodians and other school staff to get involved

Mentorship

Ask an IT teacher and an art teacher to meet with the students at regular intervals to review how the web site is developing. Also consider working with a local web design company, which would provide an excellent opportunity for formal mentorship and great experience for students.

Role of Class

Ask a class to review the web site and answer the following questions:
- What did the web site tell you about EarthCARE activities in your school?
- How could the design of the web site be improved?
- Did you find the web site easy to use?
Find out if students in the class would be interested in joining the Web Builders team

Lesson Plan Links

Grade 11 Media Campaign: develop the campaign for publication on the web site