Environment Education Portfolio
2015-Current. Melbourne Australia
Deb operates Greensong conducting Horticulture and landscape design consultancy and a variety of workshops with groups and individuals.
She is also employed by Caulfield South Community House (2021-currnet) & Garden and Port Phillip EcoCentre (2015-current) to manage the garden operations for the PPUFFN project (Port Phillip Urban Fresh Food Network) which involves setting up and maintaining edible gardens in residential care facilities and conducting enviromental-focued workshops to build skill levels and confidence. She is also employed by Port Phillip EcoCentre to deliver Environmental Education to ELC and school groups.
2014-current. Melbourne Australia
Deb primarily focused on Eco-art as part of her Ms. Ecopsychology and obtaining her PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate)
Deb operates Greensong conducting Horticulture and landscape design consultancy and a variety of workshops with groups and individuals.
She is also employed by Caulfield South Community House (2021-currnet) & Garden and Port Phillip EcoCentre (2015-current) to manage the garden operations for the PPUFFN project (Port Phillip Urban Fresh Food Network) which involves setting up and maintaining edible gardens in residential care facilities and conducting enviromental-focued workshops to build skill levels and confidence. She is also employed by Port Phillip EcoCentre to deliver Environmental Education to ELC and school groups.
2014-current. Melbourne Australia
Deb primarily focused on Eco-art as part of her Ms. Ecopsychology and obtaining her PDC (Permaculture Design Certificate)
2011-2013 Sensory Garden Project. Australian International School. Singapore
Deb was employed in AIS Preschool and developed a proposal, designed and implemented a Sensory Garden incorporating Environmental Education with 3 and 4 year-old preschool children and acted as a consultant to other staff. By creating the Sensory Garden, Deborah believes we plant a positive seed of hope for our children’s future in a world with increasing natural disasters and evident climate change. The ‘seed of hope’ is sown by developing the children’s knowledge and understanding of the environment, sustainability and ecosystems. AIS Preschool is an IB school and also inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach which emphasizes curiosity, discovery, learning and the love of nature through the environment as the ‘third teacher.’ This garden is an excellent example of incorporating horticulture and meaningful environmental education. Deb produced documents for 2011 and 2012 which provided photographs and childrens words recorded the stages of the garden, tracking the children’s learning and understanding and informs of the educational and horticulturally therapeutic benefits for her BA equivalency in Applied Ecopsychology. Ecopsychology methods were incorporated during work where children were guided to have repetitive positive natural experiences and opportunities to develop their environmental identity. The Sensory Garden and nature-related activities provided sensory stimulation which is critical for healthy brain development in 0-5yrs old age group.
Deb was employed in AIS Preschool and developed a proposal, designed and implemented a Sensory Garden incorporating Environmental Education with 3 and 4 year-old preschool children and acted as a consultant to other staff. By creating the Sensory Garden, Deborah believes we plant a positive seed of hope for our children’s future in a world with increasing natural disasters and evident climate change. The ‘seed of hope’ is sown by developing the children’s knowledge and understanding of the environment, sustainability and ecosystems. AIS Preschool is an IB school and also inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach which emphasizes curiosity, discovery, learning and the love of nature through the environment as the ‘third teacher.’ This garden is an excellent example of incorporating horticulture and meaningful environmental education. Deb produced documents for 2011 and 2012 which provided photographs and childrens words recorded the stages of the garden, tracking the children’s learning and understanding and informs of the educational and horticulturally therapeutic benefits for her BA equivalency in Applied Ecopsychology. Ecopsychology methods were incorporated during work where children were guided to have repetitive positive natural experiences and opportunities to develop their environmental identity. The Sensory Garden and nature-related activities provided sensory stimulation which is critical for healthy brain development in 0-5yrs old age group.
2011 Australian International School Singapore
Preschool Sensory Garden Wallaby 3-4 Year old class |
2012 Australian International School Singapore
Preschool Sensory Garden Emu 4-5 Year old class |
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Comments
"I thought the sensory garden in emu class was one of the special and unique aspects of the classroom- and something that I couldn't provide Sophie with at home ( due to living in an apartment and also because I don't have a green thumb myself!). I really valued Sophie being involved in learning in the garden, watching natural processes of growth, rejuvenation, death, and the interaction of plants/ animals and humans. I also believe that their involvement in a natural environment relaxes and stimulates the children- and leads to great opportunities to read/ write/ investigate / ask questions in the classroom. As a teacher I would love to have a similar environment as part of my own classroom." Robyn, Mum of Sophie P (AIS Singapore-Preschool Sensory Garden, 2012)
"The thing I noticed most with my boys after your workshops was that they became conscious of being in the garden and aware of the plants, flowers and animals in that environment. Normally they just run and play in the garden in their own world, but they became aware that they were surrounded by and were a part of - nature. Surprise!! :) Now when they enter the garden they are aware of it as a living, breathing thing. They feel connected to it - a part of it. They also want to care for it and spend more time in it. During the workshops you must have spoken about the exchange between plants and ourselves, so they have become aware that they can influence and care for another living thing - a plant. It has been so lovely as a parent who is environmentally aware, to know that my kids are being educated to be aware of their connection to their surroundings, nature and the planet. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and love of nature with my kids." -Siobhan Coulter and family (AIS Preschool Environment Workshops, 2012)
"Alexa always loved her time in the garden! And she will pick up any creature with great fascination. We now have a veggie garden back home and make our own compost. The seed was definitely planted by you!" -Luzzelle, Mum of Alexa (AIS Singapore-Preschool Sensory Garden, 2012)
"I attended two of Debbie's workshops, and they were such a personal awakening for me. I caressed seedlings and planted them carefully. I handled soil with my bare hands, pulled apart roots and re-planted a pot of Cuphea... yes, all without gloves nor a spade! The woody scent of soil and the grainy touch reconnected me with nature. Reminded me of the simple direct link we have with the flora and fauna around us. The experience may seemed ordinary, but as an urban dweller in Singapore, never was I such an intimate participant. It was a good start." - Serena Ho. Preschool Teacher (Australian International School Singapore. Environmental Education Workshop and Professional Development. 2012)
""The children not only loved spending time in the garden getting their hands dirty but they strived to know more about the environment that they are living in. The environmental workshops with Debbie allowed the children to be inspired and it also encouraged the children to make choices for a healthy living for themselves but also for the planet." Nadia Ghani, Preschool Teacher, Australian International School Singapore. 2012
"Hamish loves it, whenever Daddy visits it is always the first thing Hamish wants to show him - The compost in particular was a big hit, Hamish would tell us and his class mates which items of food scraps go in which compost bin – “no the banana cannot go in that one, it goes in this one” The environment is so important and features so much in the junior school units of inquiry, introducing the children at preschool to as much as possible “green education” is fabulous! Thank you for all your time with the Wallabies Sensory Garden." - Leisel and Hamish (Australian International School Singapore-Preschool Sensory Garden, 2011)
"Brodie loves the preschool sensory garden which has introduced him to environmental concepts in a way he can understand. Brodie now asks at home where our recycling is when he wants to throw something away, and has gone from a child who would not eat a banana to wanting bananas for lunch so he can talk on his 'banana phone' and feed the compost with the skin. Inspirational!" - Clare (Australian International School Singapore -Preschool Sensory Garden, 2011)
"I think it is extremely important for our kids to be exposed to nature. Living in a condo in Singapore means kids are less likely to explore and muck around in some dirt because they don't have backyards. The sensory garden at school is wonderful, and the learning activities are creative and meaningful - thank you!" - Tanya (Australian International School Singapore-Preschool Sensory Garden, 2011)
“Will (3 years) has learnt so much from the vegetable garden that Deb and his classmates have planted in their playground. From planting and watering the seeds at the start of the year to watching the plant sprout and grow, through to vegetables growing before their eyes. What an exciting experience for any child and a helpful one for understanding where food comes from and the effort required to get it to our plate. Thanks for being a part of this important lesson Deb” - Karla (AIS Singapore-Preschool Sensory Garden, 2011)
“Skye has loved learning about the environment by helping in the Wallabies garden. She has added her banana skins to the compost heap, planted seeds and harvested and eaten aubergine. It has been a wonderful way to learn about the life cycle of plants and the small ways she can help look after the environment. Skye (and her sisters) have now extended the work to home, creating their own little flower garden in pots in the yard. What a wonderful way for our children to learn and grow! Thanks for your energy and enthusiasm with this project.” – Lucy (AIS Singapore-Preschool Sensory Garden, 2011)
"The thing I noticed most with my boys after your workshops was that they became conscious of being in the garden and aware of the plants, flowers and animals in that environment. Normally they just run and play in the garden in their own world, but they became aware that they were surrounded by and were a part of - nature. Surprise!! :) Now when they enter the garden they are aware of it as a living, breathing thing. They feel connected to it - a part of it. They also want to care for it and spend more time in it. During the workshops you must have spoken about the exchange between plants and ourselves, so they have become aware that they can influence and care for another living thing - a plant. It has been so lovely as a parent who is environmentally aware, to know that my kids are being educated to be aware of their connection to their surroundings, nature and the planet. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and love of nature with my kids." -Siobhan Coulter and family (AIS Preschool Environment Workshops, 2012)
"Alexa always loved her time in the garden! And she will pick up any creature with great fascination. We now have a veggie garden back home and make our own compost. The seed was definitely planted by you!" -Luzzelle, Mum of Alexa (AIS Singapore-Preschool Sensory Garden, 2012)
"I attended two of Debbie's workshops, and they were such a personal awakening for me. I caressed seedlings and planted them carefully. I handled soil with my bare hands, pulled apart roots and re-planted a pot of Cuphea... yes, all without gloves nor a spade! The woody scent of soil and the grainy touch reconnected me with nature. Reminded me of the simple direct link we have with the flora and fauna around us. The experience may seemed ordinary, but as an urban dweller in Singapore, never was I such an intimate participant. It was a good start." - Serena Ho. Preschool Teacher (Australian International School Singapore. Environmental Education Workshop and Professional Development. 2012)
""The children not only loved spending time in the garden getting their hands dirty but they strived to know more about the environment that they are living in. The environmental workshops with Debbie allowed the children to be inspired and it also encouraged the children to make choices for a healthy living for themselves but also for the planet." Nadia Ghani, Preschool Teacher, Australian International School Singapore. 2012
"Hamish loves it, whenever Daddy visits it is always the first thing Hamish wants to show him - The compost in particular was a big hit, Hamish would tell us and his class mates which items of food scraps go in which compost bin – “no the banana cannot go in that one, it goes in this one” The environment is so important and features so much in the junior school units of inquiry, introducing the children at preschool to as much as possible “green education” is fabulous! Thank you for all your time with the Wallabies Sensory Garden." - Leisel and Hamish (Australian International School Singapore-Preschool Sensory Garden, 2011)
"Brodie loves the preschool sensory garden which has introduced him to environmental concepts in a way he can understand. Brodie now asks at home where our recycling is when he wants to throw something away, and has gone from a child who would not eat a banana to wanting bananas for lunch so he can talk on his 'banana phone' and feed the compost with the skin. Inspirational!" - Clare (Australian International School Singapore -Preschool Sensory Garden, 2011)
"I think it is extremely important for our kids to be exposed to nature. Living in a condo in Singapore means kids are less likely to explore and muck around in some dirt because they don't have backyards. The sensory garden at school is wonderful, and the learning activities are creative and meaningful - thank you!" - Tanya (Australian International School Singapore-Preschool Sensory Garden, 2011)
“Will (3 years) has learnt so much from the vegetable garden that Deb and his classmates have planted in their playground. From planting and watering the seeds at the start of the year to watching the plant sprout and grow, through to vegetables growing before their eyes. What an exciting experience for any child and a helpful one for understanding where food comes from and the effort required to get it to our plate. Thanks for being a part of this important lesson Deb” - Karla (AIS Singapore-Preschool Sensory Garden, 2011)
“Skye has loved learning about the environment by helping in the Wallabies garden. She has added her banana skins to the compost heap, planted seeds and harvested and eaten aubergine. It has been a wonderful way to learn about the life cycle of plants and the small ways she can help look after the environment. Skye (and her sisters) have now extended the work to home, creating their own little flower garden in pots in the yard. What a wonderful way for our children to learn and grow! Thanks for your energy and enthusiasm with this project.” – Lucy (AIS Singapore-Preschool Sensory Garden, 2011)