2010 Energy and Water Ecolab

2010 ENERGY AND WATER ECOLAB F INAL

Edmonton, Alberta

REPORT

November 17-19, 2010

OVERVIEW Inside Education’s Energy and Water EcoLab offered science teachers from Alberta and northeast British Columbia the opportunity to explore Alberta’s energy sources and examine both the cumulative and acute impacts that development has on our water resources. The challenge for these 25 teachers: effectively communicate the complexities of energy production and water conservation to their students, our future decision makers. This program aptly met the challenge with a focus on bringing together multiple perspectives on the science, issues and solutions related to energy development and water use.

Through first-hand experience the teachers took more than just notes, they gained networks and tools to deliver the complex material in their classrooms.

PARTNERS In addition to the support of the expert presenters and hosts that follow, a special thank you goes to the following organizations for their support in making this program possible and at no cost to the teachers.

“Loved the information and will use the resources - well worth my time!”

Tara Hallet Stettler Middle School, Stettler

PARTNERS

Alberta Energy Alberta Innovates

“You are a valuable PD provider to the teachers of Alberta and I’d like to thank you very much. Your efforts to provide a balance of biases is commendable. ” Karen Campbell Alberta Distance Learning Centre, Barrhead “I really enjoyed the intense day of learning about energy and water. [The range of perspectives] was excellent.”

Marie Jahner Sir George Simpson Junior High School, St. Albert

Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers Cenovus Energy ConocoPhillips Devon Canada Corporation Encana Corporation PennWest Energy Rural Alberta's Development Fund Small Explorers and Producers Association of Canada

THE PROGRAM: PEOPLE, PLACES, AND PERSPECTIVES NOVEMBER 17 Program Welcome and Introduction, Gail McLoughlin Inside Education

Conventional Oil and Water – An Industry Perspective Tour, Sarah Fulton, PennWest Energy Trust

NOVEMBER 18

Water Does Matter – An Environmental Perspective, Julia Ko, Water Matters

Water and Energy 101, Jason Toner, Inside Education

Field Trip Opportunity - Leduc #1 Energy Discovery Centre

Research and Innovation CANMET Energy Technology Centre, Alyse Mongeon, Kim Kasperski, and Randy Mikula,

Oil and Water: Beyond Debate?

Edward Burtynsky, Tim Flannery, and Tom Siddon

NOVEMBER 19 Oil Sands and Water: the Government Perspective, Preston McEachern, Alberta Environment Program Wrap-up, Inside Education

Getting to know each other!

Inside Education’s programs examine the classroom application of the natural resources topics we discuss. Here, teachers introduce themselves, learn about Inside Education and practice an interactive activity that can be used in their class.

Water and Energy 101 Jason Toner kicks off the program with an overview of energy in Alberta; the sources, the science, and the impact of development on our water resources.

Research and Innovation CANMET Energy Technology Centre While touring the lab teachers visit with the scientists and specialists who research solutions for the water challenges related to energy development.

Conventional Oil and Water – An Industry Perspective Sarah Fulton of PennWest discusses (over the phone) how the conventional oil industry uses water and the impacts on Canada’s water resource. She also examines measures that the industry is taking to conserve and protect water as well as PennWest’s “next generation” of water management.

“One word: Outstanding! I have so much to take back to my classroom and I’ve learned so much in one day.

Thank you” Darren Dola Eagle Butte High School, Dunmore

Water Does Matter – An Environmental Perspective Teachers discuss how policy is developed with Julia Ko of Water Matters (via skype). She also examines the role of a non-government organization in addressing watershed issues.

Leduc #1 Energy Discovery Centre Teachers get an interactive look at oil and gas exploration, feel the weight of a drill bit and crawl inside a segment of pipeline. Through a self guided tour, teachers learned about education tools for both youth and adults and examined the history of Alberta’s energy resources.

“The energy/water debate (issue) is much more complex than I could ever imagine. I must listen to all perspectives and advocate to others the same.”

Lily Ma Winterburn School, Edmonton

Oil and Water: Beyond Debate?

Teachers attended the University of Alberta’s Festival of Ideas to hear Edward Burtynsky, acclaimed Canadian photographer, Tim Flannery, best-selling author of The Weather Makers and Tom Siddon, former minister of fisheries and oceans, offer insights on the oil-versus-water debate.

Oil Sands and Water: the Government Perspective Preston McEachern of Alberta Environment explains some of the impacts that oil sands development has on water and the research and monitoring that occurs in the region. He also discusses the measures that government is taking to conserve and protect our water resources.

“I always enjoy the different perspectives that are presented to us that allow me to form an informed opinion. Everyone is always very professional and the tours are very well organized. One of the great traits of a teacher is flexibility and the staff of Inside Education are masters. You always manage to handle all curve balls with ease and keep the tour running smoothly.”

Ed Young Chalo School, Fort Nelson, British Columbia

Ed Young, Chalo School, Fort Nelson, BC Ashley Prontack, Robert Ogilvie Elementary School, Fort St. John, BC Deb Lucas and Sarah Lucas, Grande Prairie and Area Environmental Sciences Education Society, Grande Prairie Terri-Lynn McLeod and Christoph Ruge, Mistassiniy School, Wabasca Michael Schulz, Portage College, Lac La Biche Karen Campbell, Alberta Distance Learning Centre, Barrhead Marie Jahner, Sir George Simpson, St. Albert Lona Ani, Grandview Heights School, Edmonton Lily Ma, Winterburn School, Edmonton Charlene Saunders, Griffiths-Scott Middle School, Millet Daniella Perillat, St. Augustine School, Ponoka Tara Hallett, Stettler Middle School, Stettler Gwen Stewart, Harts Colony School, Veteran Karen Anderson, Sunalta Elementary School, Calgary Dawn Krahn, Thorncliffe Elementary School, Calgary Deirdre Richardson, Sunalta School, Calgary Michelle Westers, Alexandra Middle School, Medicine Hat Darren Dola and Michael O'Shea, Eagle Butte High School, Dunmore Dwayne Sedgwick, Willow Creek Composite High School, Claresholm Glenda Bron, Derk Harlaar, and Bill Van Der Weide, Calvin Christian School, Coalhurst

“For me, the key message I’ll be taking back is how important it is to be well informed. Just accepting what is presented in the media or by those who speak the loudest, doesn’t necessarily give you the truth. I think this is very important for everyone of us as members of society but also for our students!”

Glenda Bron, Calvin Chrisitian School, Coalhurst “Thank you so much for allowing me to come on this tour! It was a concise, eye-opening conference that did an excellent job of presenting the many different viewpoints on this complex, important issue, without going into a lot of extremism and finger pointing. The fact that this was essentially free is such a huge bonus given the recent cuts to PD. Keep at it!”

Michael Shultz Portage College, Lac La Biche