SHSM

Specialist High Skills Major - Environmental

Would you like to glide quietly through a wetland in a canoe observing Bald Eagles, rare cranes or turtles? Would you like to help the environment by planting trees to help preserve endangered species? Would you like to learn valuable skills and certifications that may enhance future employment? Get outside and learn!! 

At EDHS you can pair your classroom learning with outdoor experiences designed to provide you with opportunities to apply your knowledge in real environmental stewardship activities. Learning experiences may include, but are not limited to, the following: canoeing through environmentally significant wetlands, bee keeping, streambank rehabilitation, navigation, back country tripping, forestry management initiatives, water quality testing, working in Provincial Parks, as well as, wildflower and tree planting for environmental improvement. 

Curriculum expectations will be linked to some of the activities listed above and students will be given the opportunity to visit one or more colleges and universities, achieving certifications in first aid and CPR, GPS, canoe paddling, habitat rehabilitation, species identification and more. Students within the SHSM program have the opportunity to apply to take a 3-credit integrated program - the Outdoor Environmental Leadership Program (OELP) - in the second semester of grade 11. This program boasts leadership development, cross-cultural connections, outdoor education, and local community involvement; all with a hands-on environmental focus. Major components of the program include a variety of single- and multiday outdoor field trips, as well as numerous industry-recognized certifications which are offered throughout the semester. Credits included: grade 11 English, grade 12 Environment and Resource Management and an environmentally-focused co-op credit. 

Why "Major" in an Environmental program?? 

➢ The Canadian environment sector represents about 3.2% of employment in Canada, making it larger than the nation’s aerospace or pharmaceutical industries (Environmental Careers Organization Canada, 2010) 

➢ According to industry experts, existing labour shortages in the environmental sector are expected to increase as regulations to meet Canada’s goals regarding climate change come into effect (Ministry of Education, 2010). 

➢ There are approximately 682, 000 environmental professionals within major industry groups across Canada (Environmental Careers Organization Canada, 2010).