Schools are keen to bring environmental issues to the fore of children’s learning, and it’s something the students care about too. But with external pressures on curriculum content, there often isn’t the space, nor the expertise to teach climate change and climate action. And that’s where we come in. Thanks to our partnership with the Yorkshire Membership team at Central England Coop we have been working in Dodworth St. John the Baptist C of E Primary Academy and Birkby Junior School, with our ‘SCRAP THAT PLASTIC’ workshop supporting curriculum learning in science, geography and art.
The workshop begins with a quiz all about plastic – do you know when and where the first plastic was invented? Ironically the first plastic was made to replace animal shells and bone that were being used to create buttons and combs. Not all plastic is bad, it’s how we use it, and how we dispose of it that is the problem.
“This workshop has supported our curriculum, and pupils will be reminded of eco-learning through further discussion and the displays we can now create in class. It has created a talking point and memorable experience. Well run, and well-resourced SCRAP THAT PLASTIC is not only informative and fun, but necessary for our children.” Year 4 class teacher – Birkby Junior School.
The quiz continues to teach the history of plastic, how it is made, how it is disposed of, and the impact single use plastic has on local and global environments. Through discussion and knowledge sharing between peers, young people begin to understand the range of positive choices they make, as we highlight the need to rethink and repurpose things we use every day. All children bring re-usable water bottles into school – but often don’t realise this positive behaviour change can be taken outside of the classroom. It is very rewarding to see young people become aware that they can make a difference and are already taking little steps to change the world. Their enthusiasm is infectious and encouraging.
“The workshop progressed learning in school, our students have a deeper understanding of the fact they have choices, and will use the knowledge learnt about the 6 R’s to change their environments.” Year 3/4 class teacher Dodworth St John.
In SCRAP THAT PLASTIC pupils discuss the importance of the many ‘RE’ words: REmember, REduce, REuse, REpair, REthink, REpurpose before you REcycle. To carry these messages of sustainability out of the classroom students create independent and collaborative artworks, using materials that would otherwise be thrown away. Together we created giant octopus and turtles along with a myriad of fabulous fish. The classroom filled with a hubbub of creativity and gave space for children to talk to each other, and us, about recycling in a relaxed environment.
“Helen and Sophie are very knowledgeable, they had a great rapport with the children, especially when questioning and engaging them. The creative outcomes are of a very good quality.” Art Lead at Birkby Junior School
Ethical values are very important to us. We are passionate about our impact on the world being a positive one and love sharing our passion with young people. Working with Central Coop is a perfect partnership as their coop values walk the talk of sustainability, they are a business that not only care about people and planet but put that into practice too. With their support of our creative workshops, we can teach an understanding of climate change and the action each of us can take to a wider audience; empowering participants to take little steps to change the world.
Thank you to Central England Coop for supporting the workshops and a big thank you to Dodworth St. John the Baptist C of E Primary Academy and Birkby Junior School for making us so welcome into your schools and to the intelligent, thoughtful responses from your students. It is very reassuring to know there is a generation of change makers emerging, already taking little steps to change the world.
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