My Green Conscience in North Bay

by Franke James

(See end of post for the Green Conscience planning tool and teachers’ feedback)

So, what bothered the teachers’ green consciences?

Our Ride-on-Mower

Convenience packaging

Our multiple vehicles

My shoe-mania

I’m a POP-o-holic

My fossil fuel vehicle

Blindfolded Consumption

The world’s food supply

Wasting energy. And higher profits at the cost of the environment

The food we eat

Always having to be careful

The Science Teachers’ Feedback:

You don’t have to move mountains to make a difference
“Your presentation and the “Bothered by my Green Conscience” activity had me motivated and wanting to do more to promote being green to my students and show them how by my example. It really had me feeling that anyone can be green, and you don’t have to be able to move mountains to make a difference. I also loved tying creativity to science in our activity and I’m excited about bringing it into my classroom and have the students really feel that they could make a difference too.” Sarah Lovsin

Makes climate change and ecology personal
“For me, the most important aspect of the activity is that it makes the whole climate change and ecology thing personal. The students own up to what bothers his/her ecological conscience, then thinks about the options they have to change the situation that bothers them. Thank you for the different approach that allows me to grab the attention of some less-sciencey students.” Barbara Gaudet

Remarkable way to communicate in a visual, high-impact manner
“I just wanted to thank you for sharing your creative process with us. It is a truly remarkable way to get people to start reflecting upon the ways in which we affect the environment and then to communicate our own thoughts in a visual, high-impact manner. I will most definitely be using it with my students at the first opportunity.” Andy Wang

I will build on what we’ve learned, blow on eggs and make collages!
“I was very moved by your enthusiasm and fighting attitude as you fought the city for your green driveway. The images in your visual essays are very captivating, and inspiring… I want to thank you for sharing the steps in your creative process with us, as I will share them, in turn, with my students. I was so glad that, for once, I could do the crafty, creative stuff, and not just watch my students have a hand at it. I will build on what we’ve learned, blow on eggs and make collages!” Thank you! Maja Salahovic

I keep telling myself that “I’m not that creative…”
“I was so inspired by your talk at the Canadian Ecology Centre. I found the activity on “What’s bothering my Green conscience” extremely engaging. Initially, I wasn’t sure as to how I would represent my thoughts, because I keep telling myself that “I’m not that creative…” However, the activity steps that you made us go through, really made me think about my issue: what it is that we are eating in my household and the whole notion of a ‘fast food’ nation. I would like to advocate for more wholesome, nutritious options that are better for our health and environment. As we worked through the activity, I realized how easy it was to come up with ideas. I will definitely use this activity with my grade 8 class since it incorporates art and gets them to think critically about an issue. Thanks again for sharing your time and ideas with us…” Tanya Williamson

Shows that one person can make a difference
“The concept of the Green Conscience workshop is a very good one. I have decided to do something similar in ALL of my classes not just the Environmental Science course. I particularly liked the story about your driveway… It’s a great story for the kids to show that one person can make a difference. This is the message I often try to get across to them since many believe that there is nothing they personally can do for the environment, so many don’t even bother.” Val Leeming

I was able to have my own revelation
“I would just like to acknowledge how successful your workshop was at the Canadian Ecology Centre this past week… Your Green Conscience Workshop provided a straightforward yet comprehensive process to successfully understand how to design and produce “visual statement”… By providing a framework with sufficient time to seek out and understand our own symbols, witnesses, metaphors, changes in culture, human nature, and action plan I was able to have my own revelation. I experienced what my students will experience when I do this activity. I fully appreciate that finding my Green Conscience is a learning experience that represents a dynamic process of understanding and emotional expression which are both so integral to environmental issues. Thanks for your time to show your passion and expertise in an aspect that is so important to the future of humanity.” Robert Coulas, MSc, B.Ed.

Potent arrow of engagement
“The disarming nature and appealing quirkiness of Franke’s visual arts story of personal change, however imperfect, should not be underestimated as a potent arrow of engagement in the quiver of education of the next generation in dealing with their absurd modern world of disorienting consumptive living.” John Stradiotto, Wahsa Distance Education

Franke is inspiring people to take a look at the way they live
“The founding principle of the Canadian Ecology Centre is the M.A.D.E. principle, “Make A Difference Environmentally.” Franke James is doing just that through her work. In leading by example, and documenting her efforts to make a difference environmentally, Franke is inspiring people to take a look at the way they live, and ask “What is bothering my green conscience” and to do something about it!…

The response to Franke’s talk and workshop has been overwhelmingly positive, and was the highlight of the 3-day professional development workshop at CEC sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Education.” Coral Mason, OCT, Program Coordinator, Canadian Ecology Centre

Credits: My Green Conscience in North Bay

Collaged artwork by the participating Science teachers.

Writing, photographs and illustrations “My Green Conscience in North Bay” © 2009 Franke James, MFA
My Green Conscience art workshop © 2007-2009, Franke James, MFA
Photos of Franke James by Coral Mason, Canadian Ecology Centre