What is sustainability?
To be sustainable means to make choices as individuals and participating citizens of the world that support the capability of our environment to bear the weight of current and future generations.
What do we do?
OEDSI brings sustainable education into school curricula by acting as a platform to connect scientists, educators and students internationally while providing tools and methodologies for schools to create their own sustainability projects locally. OEDSI is the supportive component that allows this relationship building to take place.
What is sustainable education?
OEDSI's sustainable education focuses on integrating environmental issues into subject areas in an applied, interactive and real way. It provides the necessary tools, communication and awareness that students need in order to sustain our natural resources and protect the environment from degradation due to human activities for current and future generations.
Where are we based?
OEDSI was founded in New York and has cooperative partnerships with scientists, educators, volunteers and organizations world-wide.
Where is the location of our current project?
OEDSI is currently working on our first two-year case study with schools in the Capital Region of New York and schools in the South Pacific.
What are we doing for our first case study?
OEDSI is testing ideas and methodologies of how to integrate sustainable education into schools from a bottom-up approach. Our goal is to produce a program that can be managed effectively and provide the flexibility necessary to integrate sustainability into existing school curricula case-by-case; including school administration and faculty in the design and decision making processes so that the program can enhance the vision and mission of a school that is already in place.
What kind of technology are we using?
We use technology to bring real-time science into the classroom and to create communication between students to discuss sustainabilility projects at their schools and become exposed to cultural and geographic diversity. Currently we are using internet web conferencing for audio and visual live link-ups, video documentaries and presentations for eductional materials, and internet forums for students to learn about one another and share ideas.
How many people are involved in the program?
We currently have three full-time volunteers that provide technical, scientific and educational expertise and facilitation of our program as well as a number of part-time volunteers. OEDSI officers spend time at both the scientific project sites and the schools. At each location the officers facilitate internet link-ups, discuss appropriate dialogue, work with faculty for structured managment of the program and provide video documentaries and materials necessary for the program to be integrated into subject areas.
Can I volunteer?
Yes, we would love to have more help with our program. You would need to contact us at info@oedsi.org and let us know what you would be interested in helping with.
How do schools enter the program?
Contact us at least a year before you would like to join up with OEDSI. We work case-by-case with schools to make sure that our program will work for the specific needs of the staff, students and community. For more specific information download ‘Information for Prospective Schools ’(PDF Document 92KB) and contact Aleidria@oedsi.org.
How do scientists get involved?
Contact Samantha@oedsi.org with details of your project. We will assess how to integrate your project into our program and contact you to arrange a meeting.
How long does a program run?
This varies according to the school and its needs in terms of guidance and support. Our first case-study is two-years long and has two distinct phases. The first phase introduces our program within science classes and the second phase will integrate our program across disciplines, establish effective community outreach, and link schools with one another regionally, nationally and internationally.
Will it cost me anything to become involved as a school or scientific project?
This depends purely on the successful acquisition of funds and varies case-by-case according to specific needs. Ideally,
funding for our program would be provided by OEDSI from the support of public and private donations and grants.
How do I contribute?
We depend on public support to achieve our aims. There are a number of ways for you to contribute to our organization. For ways to find out what you can do to help visit the Support Us section, have a look at our wish list, or contact us at info@oedsi.org. Any contributions and/or donations are tax deductible.
What do we use our funding for?
Our funding is used to develop our program and carry out our program in schools. Funds are used to buy technical equipment, absorb operating costs, provide internships for students, purchase program software, develop educational materials on sustainability, build community participation and awareness, and help with the living expenses of our volunteer officers running the program.
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