The students researched animals, visited animals at the Mountainview Conservation Centre and taught other students about animals.
Through studies of artists who work through nature as an inspiration and the experiences with nature the students created amazing artworks in pencil crayon, acrylic painting, relief printing, and soapstone. The Bateman students shared this experience with younger students. They have been involved in mentoring workshops with Dave Kandal Elementary. The eco-art buddies from the Grade One and Two classes are also showcased along with the Grade Nine, Ten, 11 and 12 students. All of the students are submitting their work to the Robert Bateman Secondary Get to Know Your Wild Neighbours and some of the work showcased at The Reach features the 2009 National Get to Know Calendar Contest and TD Friends of the Environment Desktop Calendar winners. Through an art study and a mentoring experience the students’ ecological experience is enriched and the students’ feelings and actions toward nature alter. The connections between people and nature are a first step to a sustainable future, when we get to know each other and other species we start to care about them.
