21/04/2011
This year's Earth Week started with a bang with the speaker from ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society), who gave an impactful and memorable presentation during assembly. His sharing of personal stories was inspirational, and the powerful videos of animal encagement, smuggling and exploitation really touched the hearts of the assembly crowd. Even long after the assembly, teachers talked about not buying leather bags anymore, and students discussed and spread the word of animal conservation on Facebook and Twitter (their talks about animal conservation created a little WAVE on Twitterville!) - some of the students were even thinking of forming CIP groups to volunteer themselves in helping the animals during the holidays!
After the assembly talk that stirred up a fair bit of buzz, a small game carnival was set up at the foyer for a week for students to answer some quiz questions to win attractive souvenirs (made from recycled materials). A slew of activities were also carried out around Earth Week. One of them was the Bright Future Cardgame Tournament. This tournament was first conducted last year, and due to the overwhelming favorable response, it has made a return this year. Once again, the well-loved cardgame has been warmly received by participants, who learnt about environmental conservation through interacting and playing cards. The champion from the lower secondary level was Muhd Danial Ardryan from 2N2, and the champion for the upper secondary level, who was also the overall champion, was Ang Wei Xiang from 3T1. Their knowledge in environmental sustainability and spirit for excellence really shone through the tournament and the two of them have certainly did themselves proud!
There were also the Climate Change Art Competition and Climate Change Photography Competition, where students submitted entries that depicted the theme of Climate Change, through their paintbrushes and camera lenses. Benjamin Lee (5N1) and Siti Namirah (3E4) impressed the judges with their professionally-taken photographs, and Chao Qun (2E4), Jonathan Lee (2N1) and Daphne (2N1) expressed their concern for the environment through their awe-inspiring artwork.
Another competition which challenged the level of innovation among East Springians was the interclass Bottle Tower Competition, where students had to build the tallest structure using only plastic bottles, with no help at all from other materials like glue or adhesive tapes. Students came up with exciting ways of joining the bottles together by cutting the bottles in special shapes, and the top entries came from 4E4 and 5N1, who built stable and tall structures that reached the ceiling!
The Environment Ambassadors did not want to be left out as well. During R3ISE lesson, they led the class to make up with a Green Pledge to declare what how they may contribute to environmental conservation. All the classes participated fervently in this, and laid down their promises to do their part. The best pledges came from 1N1, 2T1, 3E2 and 4N1, as they touched the hearts of the judges with their sincerity and empathy.
The Secondary 3 classes also took part in an intra-class Speech Writing Competition during their English lessons, when they took up the role of the prefectorial chairperson from the future delivering a speech to our present schoolmates. Students formed groups within the class, and wrote imaginatively to emphasize the importance of responsibility and integrity in sustaining our present environment for our future generations. The top group from each class received prizes for their inspiring speeches.
This is what we are looking for in Environment Education - it is not just about empty talks of being green - it is not just about conserving water and energy, but it is also about respecting the living things (plants and animals) around us, and taking action towards improving the environment. Even if these actions may seem like little baby steps to us now, they will eventually contribute to a greater good for everyone of us and our future generations.
