WEBVTT

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Nature is our greatest teacher.

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The mountains, rivers, and seas are wonderful learning environments.

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These are excellent places for exploration and education.

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At Hushan Experimental Elementary School

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and Xishan Experimental Elementary School,

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in terms of ecological education,

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we can see

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how children can be guided

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to explore and learn through ecological experiences.

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Not only do they better understand ecosystems,

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but they also develop cooperation

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and character education.

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Hushan is a unique school.

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Its surroundings include over 200 hectares

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without any nearby communities

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or residential buildings.

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The surrounding nature provides many opportunities

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and possibilities for learning.

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I discovered the United Nations' Eco-Schools system,

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whose core value is environmental friendliness.

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The Earth is indeed facing significant crises,

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so we guide children to take actions for the environment.

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Through this system, we discuss

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which activities align with biodiversity

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and preserve them,

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as they are priorities of the United Nations.

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Similarly, sustainable food practices are kept

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for the same reason.

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because they are priorities of the United Nations.

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We developed curriculum themes for all grades

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like "Nature Explorers"

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and "Nature Artists"

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to align with the UN's Eco-Schools system.

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The core of the Eco-Schools system

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is children.

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Children at school

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are given significant autonomy.

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Children must

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first understand their environment,

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then they can propose ideas.

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I think this is incredibly important.

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When children have ideas and decide on actions,

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the process empowers them to realize

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their potential

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and what he did

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can influence others.

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taking action on one environmental path earns a Bronze Award.

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所以其實會很有成就感

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Two paths

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lead to a Silver Award.

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If students tackle three paths, like biodiversity,

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climate change,

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and water resources,

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three paths you will get the green flag

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That is

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they earn the highest honor—the Green Flag certification.

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When the school put effort

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and win four flags

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The certification is eternity

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It is not easy

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I think this system

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deeply influences children

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because they are

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the main players.

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I wanted to invite the UN Messenger of Peace

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Dr. Jane Goodall

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so we wrote a proposal.

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We organized activities where children rode bicycles

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and gathered under trees to share their environmental actions and stories

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These stories were deeply personal to them

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so we wrote a proposal.

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To our surprise, Dr. Jane Goodall accepted the invitation.

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She visited in 2012 and 2014,

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sitting under the big trees at Hushan, listening to the children’s stories.

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It was incredibly moving.

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Since I grew up surrounded by nature,

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spending my childhood on Green Island

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I had extensive contact with the natural world as a child.

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This deeply influenced me as I grew up.

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I wanted to

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share this wonderful life experience

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this beautiful experience

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and allow children to encounter it early in life.

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This would enrich their lives

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and lay a solid foundation for their future.

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As psychologist Alfred Adler once said,

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a happy childhood

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is enough to support a person throughout their life.

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By providing children with joyful childhood experiences,

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we give them stories and memories to cherish.

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At this school, we utilize the time and place we have

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to ensure that during school hours,

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children gain rich, diverse outdoor learning experiences.

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From grades 1 through 6,

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we cultivate various outdoor education skills.

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By grade 6, children know

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what they’re choosing

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and have the ability to act on it.

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We teach them

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knowledge of mountain climbing,

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stream tracing,

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camping, and outdoor cooking.

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Their learning connects to real-life experiences

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and is not limited to textbooks or videos.

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They can apply what they’ve learned.

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Such experiential learning is invaluable.

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Children are more capable than we often imagine.

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Just outside our school gates, across the road,

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there is a stream.

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Through their observations,

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they realize

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After raining

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the water level rises.

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By seeing it firsthand,

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their senses awaken,

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and they observe the connection

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between the stream and their lives.

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They learn how weather affects streams

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and how to play safely.

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This integration

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makes their learning practical

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and not confined to textbooks.

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or classrooms

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It becomes directly usable in their daily lives

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Nature has a healing power

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and serves as the best teacher,

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nurturing these children.

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Freed from constraints,

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children develop character traits

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like independence

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and optimism.

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They show kindness

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and a willingness to help others.

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The most important aspect is

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that nature fosters

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problem-solving skills.

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At Hushan and Xishan schools,

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children start young,

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learning to care for the environment

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and exploring.

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through ecological systems

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They understand sustainability  and how to ensure its continuity.

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These schools embody

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a spirit of educational experimentation

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and a beautiful philosophy of learning.