Inspiring young people to think about the world, their relationship to it, and their ability to influence it in an entirely

new way.
Jaimie P. Cloud, President www.cloudinstitute.org

So What Kind of Future do we Want?

What do we want to sustain?

For whom? For how long?

And what does education have to do with it?

What is education for? (In the service of what?)

Sustainability
The possibility that human and other life will flourish on the planet forever John R. Ehrenfeld

So what do we mean by sustain-able?

For anything to thrive indefinitely, favorable conditions must be created and last. If human beings are to be sustain-able, we must contribute to the long term health of the systems upon which we depend.

Sustainability
"A sustainable society is one that is far-seeing enough, flexible enough, and wise enough not to undermine either its physical or its social systems of support. Donella Meadows

All Systems are Nested in Other Systems

We wouldnt need Education for Sustainability if there was no such thing as un-sustainable

All systems are perfectly designed to get the results they get.
(Richmond)

It is worth noting that this is not the work of ignorant people.

(Orr; 1994)

The Ladder of Inference

I take ACTIONS based on my beliefs

I adopt BELIEFS about the world I draw CONCLUSIONS
I make

ASSUMPTIONS
Our prior experiences with the I add MEANINGS world (cultural & personal) inform I select DATA what we from what I can observe perceive OBSERVABLE DATA and EXPERIENCES
(as a video camera might capture it)

based on the meaning I added

THE BOX Schema Habit of Mind Mental Model Mindset Mental Map Hardwirin g Frame Paradigm

Why is it so easy to get stuck in our thinking?

Everything that happens is reported to the brain as absolute fact.
(Langer)

Everything is internally consistent within the frame we are operating.

(Senge)

Most people make sense to themselves.

(Jones)

Mindlessness is not stupidity. Mindlessness is a state in which the brain is trapped in the past (operating out of habit)
(Ellen Langer)

What are we thinking?

What is the thinking that is driving our behavior that seems to make sense

but over time results in undermining the health of the systems upon which we depend?

The Result of being stuck in our thinking

We often operate without the information we need
We ignore/cant see the feedback (believing is seeing)

If we cannot hear or see feedback, we cannot perceive relevant data for our brains to filter - Ochsner
We exhibit characteristics of insanity
Our solutions backfire on us or we shift the burden

Shifting Mental Models/Schema

Mental models shift through experience, by asking different questions, through story telling, and through the creative process. Some mental models are easier to shift than others. (Ask Copernicus.) The mental models of children and young people change over time with new knowledge and applied insight.

THINGS CHANGE Will we?

Life is dynamicit adapts and evolves
(Nothing so Constant as Change)

The past is not a predictor of the future.

The Myths that Made Us

Hero Religion Democratic/Scientific Economic The Next New Narrative:

Sustainability
Tell the world of the future into being.
(Flowers)

The Myths that Made Us

PRE-HISTORY

Betty Sue Flowers

THE NEW NARRATIVE:

THE HERO

RELIGIOUS

DEMOCRATIC/ SCIENTIFIC

ECONOMIC

SUSTAINABILITY
Health & Wholeness/ Happiness, Sustainability, & Regeneration

THE IDEAL

Excellence

Goodness

Truth

Growth

COMMUNICATION MAIN ACTORS

Stories

Scriptures/ Prayer

Logical/ Arguments/ Mathematics Philosophers/ Scientists

Numbers/ Images

Expressive (including style) Learners/Designers/ Innovators/Creators

Collaboration toward long-term in individual & collective interests
Humans/God/Nature

Saints/
Heroes
Religious Leaders/

Prophets

Consumers/ Producers (business) Maximize advantage

Human dominates over nature

SUITABLE BEHAVIOR
THE

Competition Human dominates over God

Obedience God dominates over Human

Reason Nature dominates over Human

STANDARD

working together

It all begins with a change in thinking

What is Education for Sustainability?

The Cloud Institutes Framework

The Impact of EfS

Duffin, 2006; AED, 2007; BeckerKlein et al, 2008 Sobel, 2008; Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2010; Ofsted, 2009; Gayford, 2009; BarratHacking et al, 2010; PEER Associates, 2010

Education for Sustainability has multiple, positive effects on student achievement, school culture, community vitality, and ecological integrity.

The Impact of EfS

Duffin, 2006; AED, 2007; BeckerKlein et al, 2008 Sobel, 2008; Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2010; Ofsted, 2009; Gayford, 2009; BarratHacking et al, 2010; PEER Associates, 2010

Education for Sustainability is consistent with humans natural style to learn holistically and attends to the needs of the whole child.

The Impact of EfS

Duffin, 2006; AED, 2007; BeckerKlein et al, 2008 Sobel, 2008; Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2010; Ofsted, 2009; Gayford, 2009; BarratHacking et al, 2010; PEER Associates, 2010

Students Sense of Place within their community is an indispensable foundation for other learning
as is their understanding that their relationship with their community is both reciprocal and valuable.

Impact of EfS on Students

EfS
improves student learning and standards achievement enhances attitudes toward learning produces better behavior and attendance significantly decreases students feeling that they cannot succeed

Impact of EfS on Students

EfS
encourages students to make connections between themselves and the systems of which they are a part provides a safe and secure space in which children can take risks and develop skills of active participation

Impact of EfS on Students

EfS
produces statistically significant increases in the strength of students attitudes about civic engagement
develops in students a greater awareness of community, and a greater appreciation of the democratic process

Impact of EfS on Teachers

EfS
yields meaningful effects on teacher attitudes helps both new and veteran teachers to achieve strong academic outcomes from their students

EfS

Impact of EfS on School & Community

contributes to childrens health by improving childrens food eating choices improves whole school cultures and relationships between the school, parents, and the community models actions and attitudes that promote sustainable living improves air quality, reduces waste, decreases energy and water use

Creativity & Sustainability

Creativity (the generation of new forms) is a key property of all living systems and contributes to natures inherent ability to sustain life.
Fritjof Capra 2009

Selected Fields of Study that Contribute to Education for Sustainability

Sciences Environmental Science and Education Science Education (Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science) Neuroscience Quantum Physics Economics Sustainable Economics

Selected Fields of Study (contd)

Social Sciences Global Education Ecological Design and Architecture Education Holistic Education Anthropology Future Studies The Arts (Literature, Performing, Visual) Organizational Learning and Change Environmental Ethics and Philosophy Ecological Psychology Positive Psychology Science of Happiness Conflict Resolution Education Systems Thinking and System Dynamics Education Game Theory

Aligned Frameworks
Common Core/Content Standards Character Education Understanding by Design (Wiggins) Mindfulness Attributes The Entrepreneurial Mindset Partnership for 21st Century Skills Cultural Competency (Steven Jones) Social Emotional Intelligence Attributes Habits of Mind (Costa and Kallick) Whole New Mind (Daniel Pink) Neuro-Leadership (David Rock)

The Learning Self

Enduring Understandings for a Sustainable Future

Practical Idealist A healthy and sustainable future is possible.

Enduring Understandings for a Sustainable Future

Live by the Natural Laws We must operate within natural laws and principles rather than attempt to overcome them. Its non-negotiable.

Enduring Understandings for a Sustainable Future

Healthy Systems Have Limits Tap the power of limits
Note: Please do not confuse the mental model of scarcity with the reality of limits.

Enduring Understandings for a Sustainable Future

We Are All In This Together We are all interdependent on each other and on the natural systems upon which all life depends.

Enduring Understandings for a Sustainable Future

Reciprocity Rules
In the context of interdependence, self interests are best served through the development of mutually beneficial relationships.

Enduring Understandings for a Sustainable Future

We Are All Responsible

Everything we do, and everything we dont do, makes a difference.

The Learning Self

Core Attitudes
Ethics Mindfulness
Brain & Mind Potential &

Compassion
Multiple Intelligences

Motivation

Personal Story

Purpose Learning Styles

Sense of Self

Empathy

The Learning Self

Core Processes and Skills
Applied Systems Thinking

Participation & Leadership

Visioning, Lateral Thinking & Creativity

Deep Learning & Deep Thinking

Engaging Diversity

The Learning Self

Core Knowledge
Cultural Preservation and Responsible Local/ Transformation Strong Sense Global Citizenship of Place

Dynamics of Systems and Change

Sustainable Economics Healthy Commons

Multiple Perspectives

Inventing and Affecting the Future Natural Laws and Ecological Principles

The Learning Classroom

Constructivist Approach to Teaching Technology Integration Authentic Instruction & Assessment Learner-Centered Project-Based Inquiry-based Reflective Practice Writing Process Service Learning Place-Based Standards Driven Interdisciplinary Cooperative Learning

Differentiated Applied Learning Assessment-Driven

Understanding by Design

Schools and Communities Learn for a Sustainable Future

Everyone is encouraged to keep thinking, innovating, collaborating, talking candidly, improving their capabilities, self-correcting, and making personal commitments to a shared future

Physical Plant, Procurement, and Investments for EfS

Green buildings, regenerative designs, green rooftops, no waste, energy efficiency, use of regional materials, healthiness, cost savings, recycled materials, social and environmental responsibility

Innovation Adoption Curve

The Cloud Institute at Work

Awareness Skill Development Design
Consulting and Coaching Services Curriculum Design & Mapping Gap/Strength Assessment & Analysis Organizational Learning & Change Leadership Development Curriculum Materials Units of Study Full Courses of Study Assessment Tools Professional Development Research and Development

Leadership

Who is already educating for sustainability?

Arne Duncan: Education and sustainability are the keys to our economic future-and our ecological future Green Ribbon Schools EfS State Standards NJ Schools Learn and Sustainable Jersey 17 Districts in New York, NYC Public Schools NAIS Las Vegas Downtown Project Green Schools

Education for Sustainability

Contact Information

www.cloudinstitute.org/contact-us