No school change happens without the support of the community. At the same time, if communities want to move toward sustainability, they cannot go too far without all the children, young people and their teachers and mentors. In order for EfS to produce real school improvement and promote sustainable community development, schools and communities must learn and work together for a sustainable future.
We encourage students and their teachers to do asset (and liability) mapping through interdisciplinary curriculum and instruction in the school/district. What better way to learn to map, use GIS mapping tools, develop interview protocols, write social histories, provide authentic, project based, place based, service- learning opportunities for students, build partnerships and get to know your neighbors by forging relationships with them? Students of all ages can participate in community asset mapping.