Experts

EXPERTS

Mr. Tomasz Pezold-Knežević

Senior Nature Protection Specialist at the WWF
Mr. Tomasz has been professionally involved in nature conservation for 19 years, including 12 years of international experience working for IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and WWF in the following countries and territories: Serbia, Albania, (FYR / North) Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Croatia , Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Ukraine, Transnistria, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Belarus.
Currently, he works as a Senior Nature Protection Specialist at the WWF Poland Foundation and specializes in the protection of biodiversity, management of protected areas, cross-border cooperation in nature protection, UNESCO World Heritage Areas and building the organizational capacity and individual WWF office in Ukraine.Paragraph.

Mr. Marcin Gradzki

Head of Climate Policy Unit, City of Warsaw
Marcin has a business consulting background and is responsible for oversight and implementation projects that implement the city's reduction commitments in the short and long term, as well as activities that increase Warsaw's resilience to the effects of climate change. He also implements activities related to climate diplomacy and partnerships as well as seeking funds and resources for international and national projects in the area of sustainable development and climate education.

Ms. Marta Lesiewska

Founder of INSPIRED | Corporate Responsibility and Climate Leadership (UNEP/GRID) expert
As a sustainability consultant, I work with many companies and professionals. We try to minimise the negative impact and enhance the positive one to ensure that future generations will be able to live a good life on Earth. Supporting the CSW students in their projects was an additional motivation - their curiosity, knowledge, and dedication were inspiring. They are the world's future leaders, and it's their right to advocate for a more sustainable future and our duty to answer this call.

Mr. Thor Hanson

Author and biologist
Thor Hanson is a Guggenheim Fellow, a Switzer Environmental Fellow, and winner of the John Burroughs Medal. His books include Hurricane Lizards and Plastic Squid, Buzz, The Triumph of Seeds, Feathers, and The Impenetrable Forest, as well as the illustrated children’s favorite, Bartholomew Quill. Thor’s work has been translated into a dozenlanguages and earned many accolades, including the Phi Beta Kappa Award in Science and three Pacific Northwest Book Awards. He co-hosted the PBS Natureseries American Spring Live, and has been a guest on programs ranging fromFresh Airto Science Friday, On Point, and WIRED Currents. Hanson lives with his wife andson on an island in the Pacific Northwest.

Mr. Bartek Wrona

Group 1 Mentor
As the two decades of XXI century have passed and we have, as humanity, realized that apart from unprecedented development this age brought, there are serious issues to face if we want our planet to remain a pleasant place to live for the future generations. This year’s PYP exhibition is entirely devoted to environment and human impact on various elements of it and it’s been a true pleasure for me to help one of the groups to broaden and spread awareness about it. The future of the planet will soon depend on the kids of today, but it’s our generation’s responsibility to encourage them to become aware adults in the future

Ms. Megan Van Vliet

Group 2 Mentor
I am a PYP and English Teacher at The Canadian Preschool of Warsaw. This is my first engagement with the Grade 6 Exhibition as a mentor. It has been a joy to work with the Grade 6s and see them develop and apply their knowledge and skills in connection with the inquiry cycle. The themes for this year’s Exhibition are pertinent to our society and the future of our Earth and all that it encompasses. It is exciting and inspiring to witness the younger generation being passionate about addressing prominent issues that directly impact the future of every living thing on our planet, and the Earth itself.

Mr. Wendell Ernstzen

Group 3 Mentor
Mother Nature. Natural resources. Conservation & Education. When I was approached to be a mentor of group 3, I was more than ready to accept their invitation. These are the concepts that I grew up with, lived daily while I was a Scout, and took part in projects to heal the scars done to Mother Nature. The 4 students were engaged from the start and had a plethora of ideas that wanted to implement. We had to be selective as time constraints limited what we were actually able to achieve. Only in the capacity as an advisor and mentor, I merely guided and suggested whilst they shaped their ideas, plans and concepts into tangible surveys, persuasive speeches, power point presentation, eco-jewelry and more! When you see the strong message, they are sending about our Earth, and the simple yet effective steps each of us can take to help, you will not only start or continue to help Mother Nature, but also spread the word to enlighten all you know to do the same. I am so proud of group 3 - they ARE making a difference!

Mr. James Giblin

Group 4 Mentor
Having seen the results of deforestation in the United Kingdom, I am aware of the impact it has on the planet and all who inhabit it. After watching the group’s presentation, I was inspired by both the passion and drive in which they spoke about this vital issue. They speak from the heart and with great conviction. Further, they want to make a change in both their local and global community, which I am more than happy to support. In doing so, I wish to help illustrate to them the benefits of natural climate solutions in helping provide a more sustainable world for future generations.

Ms. Kari Larsen

Group 5 Mentor
Having spent a large portion of my adult life near the sea (Cape Town), I have been exposed to the devastating impact pollution can have on our oceans and seas and this is the reason my group’s topic caught my attention.
Working with my group was an eye-opening experience as we discovered the ripple effect that pollution and over fishing have on our oceans. It is not only an environmental issue where the animals are directly affected, but a social issue for the communities in the area.
It has been an exciting journey watching my group collaborate and explore this this topic in true PYP fashion: with open minds and curiosity. .

SESSIONS WITH THE EXPERTS - Grade 6