Career and Curriculum Initiatives

DPS GOAL:

All students and staff are engaged in sustainability.

Map Highlight | DPS Learning Landscapes

The map below highlights DPS’ Learning Landscape initiatives. The first map shows all DPS schools with Learning Landscapes; the next two show an example school before and after the construction of a Learning Landscape.

Explore How We’ll Get There

Sustainability Curriculum

Curriculum for Sustainability

5-Year Goal for Students: 100% of schools have at least 1 annual sustainability project-based learning opportunity

5-Year Goal for Staff: 50% of science teachers participate in an annual professional development on climate and sustainability

Outdoor Experiences

Learning Outdoors

5-Year Goal: 100% of schools incorporate an outdoor learning space in their
academics.

Career Exploration

Green Career Opportunities

5-Year Goal: Sustainability is integrated into 100% of all school fairs and 20% of all students participate in some form of work-based learning that promotes careers in sustainability.

Learning Landscapes create environments that are conducive for learning, social interaction, and encourage students to play outdoors. Learning Landscapes can provide opportunities for increased physical activity for students and opportunities to learn about their outdoor environment. For more information about Learning Landscapes click here: www.learninglandscapes.org/

Use the arrows in the top right corner of the map below or the tabs at the top to navigate between maps. The first map shows all DPS schools with Learning Landscapes and the following maps show a school before and after the construction of a Learning Landscape.

Active DPS Curriculum Initiatives

Active DPS Utilities Initiatives

Sustainability Curriculum | Outdoor Experiences | Career Exploration

Sustainability Curriculum – Curriculum for Sustainability

5-Year Goals:

STUDENTS: 100% of schools have at least 1 annual sustainability project-based learning opportunity.

STAFF: 50% of science teachers participate in an annual professional development on climate and sustainability.

Creating a sustainability curriculum involves first educating staff on best practices and the science of sustainability. Part of staff onboarding will involve a sustainability module to ensure all new people come in with the same knowledge as existing staff. Beyond internal education, DPS will seek out outside expertise through field trips, partnerships, and job shadowing.

Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design

Outdoor Experiences – Learning Outdoors

5-Year Goal: 100% of schools incorporate an outdoor learning space in their academics.

An outdoor classroom can be simply a place for learning on school grounds without a roof, or it can be a dedicated safe space in the mountains, park, nature center, or out in a field. Outdoor classrooms provide students with the opportunity to interact with nature and the subjects they are learning about, as well as provide a larger world view all while getting some fresh air. Students will be presented with many options for outdoor learning to enrich their curriculum. DPS is working to ensure outdoor classrooms are available and utilized and that the sustainability curriculum is covered during these experiences. Grant funding will be used to help support the outdoor learning mission.

PREP Academy

Career Exploration – Green Career Opportunities

5-Year Goal: Of all students participating in work-based learning, 20% or more of students will explore/engage in activities that promote careers in sustainability.

DPS students will find increased availability of sustainability-based career opportunities. These opportunities will come from career and technical education programs, internship availability, and career partnerships. Career fairs will feature sustainability options along with mobile fairs to ensure younger students are aware of available career paths in sustainability. Allowing students to explore careers and technical learning in sustainability areas ensures sustainability exists beyond the classroom.

North High School

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