A provincial curriculum supplement introduced in British Columbia last fall is being honoured for excellence and innovation in the integration of technology into K-12 classrooms.

Bamboo Shoots: Chinese Canadian Legacies in BC received the award yesterday from the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education (CNIE) at the CNIE-Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (CAUCE) conference held in Waterloo, Ontario.

Bamboo Shoots is a comprehensive online learning resource which provides Grade five and 10 teachers with easy-to-use classroom instruction plans as they encourage students to explore historical wrongs committed against Chinese Canadians in British Columbia. In addition to suggested activities and lesson plans, the resource also offers a wealth of support materials such as historical backgrounders, personal stories and more than 300 archival photographs and documents.

The gallery of photos and documents have been acquired from the BC Archives, the Royal BC Museum, University of British Columbia Special Collections – Chung Collection, Library and Archives Canada, the Vancouver Public Library, and regional museums throughout the province.

The new curriculum is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of International Trade and Multiculturalism, the Ministry of Education (Open School BC), and the Legacy Initiatives Advisory Council.

Nearly 3000 users have accessed the online resources since they were launched and approximately 700 students have experienced interactive, hands-on learning through eight outreach kits containing games, videos and other materials provided in partnership with the Royal BC Museum. Bamboo Shoots is publicly available online at: http://ow.ly/pFw1300Fkzu

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism –

“This innovative learning resource is designed to reflect British Columbia’s rich multicultural heritage using one of our most valuable tools – education. The curriculum transports individual students into the rich history of Chinese Canadians and tells the story of their lasting legacy that has shaped our province’s cultural, economic and social mosaic.”

Mike Bernier, Minister of Education –

“I’m extremely proud of the work that has been done creating the Bamboo Shoots website. Students now have access to a massive resource of historic materials so they can learn about the important history of Chinese Canadians.”

Legacy Initiatives Advisory Council co-chair David Choi –

“This important award is a testament to the collaborative efforts between government and the Legacy Initiatives Advisory Council to bring Chinese Canadian history to life for British Columbia students.”

Legacy Initiatives Advisory Council co-chair Henry Yu –

“By teaching B.C. students about the many contributions of early Chinese settlers to the building of our great province, we are ensuring future generations of British Columbians are effectively equipped to recognize and challenge racism and discrimination.”

Quick Facts:

• Bamboo Shoots: Chinese Canadian Legacies in BC is the result of a Chinese Legacy BC initiative following the British Columbia legislature’s May 2014 formal apology for historical wrongs committed against B.C.’s Chinese Canadian community.
• Bamboo Shoots received the 2016 CNIE Award in the category of Excellence and Innovation in the Integration of Technology in the K-12 Classroom during the CNIE – Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (CAUCE) conference held in Waterloo, Ontario May 30-June 2, 2016.

Learn More:

To access Bamboo Shoots: Chinese Canadian Legacies in BC please visit: http://ow.ly/pFw1300Fkzu