Cycling through Environmental Concerns

NOBODY could accuse Andrew Vance of beinfg green when it comes to helping the environment - he's been pedalling the sustainability message for years.

The Melbourne Girls' College teacher has made environmental education a core part of the curriculum even introducing a world-first zero-carbon movie night where students power the projector and sound system using specially engineered bikes.

And he's not reaching for the brakes yet.

"I guess I have a love for the natural environment and that drives a lot of it," Mr. Vance siad.

"Especially since teaching, I have realised that when people feel disempowered they switch off'.

It's trying to connect people with the natural world and empowering them by showibng them that as consumers they have a choice in things you have."

Mr Vance, whose dedication has earned a nomination for a Pride of Australia medal in the "environment" category also developed a bush tucker indigenous education garden and is a mentor to other schools as Melbourne Girls' sustainability co-ordinator.

A teacher for almost a decade, he has received numerous accolades including being named 20111 Victorian Environmental Educator of the Year and a City of Yarra Local Hero.

He is the Marine Education Society of Austalasia's vice-president.

In the Northcote resident's next project, teachers and parents are being asked to give up their favourite electronic device for an entire term or use one of the school's pedal=-powered generators to produce the same eamount of energy of energy it would use.

Principal Judy Crowe said Me Vance was an inspiration. "The key thing about Andrew is that he has a passion for what he teaches and extends it beyond the classroom, "Ms Crowe said. "The activities he becomes involved in cause girls to become more aware of environmental issues and, as a consequence, I have seen a number of girls develop career intersts in that area.'

HERALD SUN
Monday July 15, 2013