Take Action – new opportunities for schools to learn about waste and energy and how we can all help look after our environment
Take Action is a new programme of learning activities designed just for schools and groups of school aged children. Activities can be tailored to particular learning needs so please get in touch if you are interested to find out more.
Take Action Days include
- Eco-footprints: construct your own Eco Village
- The Energy Debate
- Earth Trust Wild Waste Show
- Farming for the Future
Eco-footprints for Key Stage 2 (7-11 years)
Understanding how our lives impact on the world is vital to helping us live sustainably in the future. This cross-curricular day introduces pupils to the concept of eco-footprints and environmental impact. Each pupil will create a simple profile of themselves, using the Eco-Schools themes, which allow them to see their own environmental impact. Next we work outside to see where our society is having an impact on the Oxfordshire environment by creating field sketches. Finally pupils get the chance to construct their own eco-village and solve the problems it faces in providing energy, water, food, transport and waste provision for its population.
Energy Debate Key stage 2 - 3 (7 - 14 years)
Explore Didcot Power station and follow that with our energy debate, learn about where our power comes from. How can we provide energy for a 2026 South Oxfordshire community? What impact will our decisions have on the landscape?
Farming for the Future Key Stage 2 (7 - 11 years)
What we eat and where it comes from is an important part of our lives and our health. Here at the Earth Trust we have a working conservation farm and we encourage new green businesses to use our land and grow and distribute food locally. Farming for the Future will provide an introduction to food and farming and an opportunity to get outside and explore how food is grown and how nature provides food ‘free of charge’. Later you will have the opportunity to construct you own green business.
Farm visits often run in Spring during Lambing when pupils will have the chance to see how we care for ewes and their lambs at this vital time. All year round we run visits that focus on food production and find out how farming fits in modern Britain.
How to book
To find out more about these Take Action Days or book please contact
Oliver Rathmill or Alexis Pym on 01865 407792
We charge small fees per pupil to cover tuition on the day. Pupils provide their own lunch. Normal days run from 10am to 2.30pm although half day activities can be organised.
Wild Waste Show
The Wild Waste Show, a successful partnership between the Earth Trust and the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership, worked with schools throughout Oxfordshire for twelve years until October 2011. During this time the project grew, and changed our understanding of waste and encouraged schools and communities to reduce, reuse, compost and recycle. More than 140,000 children have taken part in school based activities and more than 77 communities have benefited.
Energy Busters
Energy Busters, an Earth Trust/ Oxfordshire County Council project worked in primary and secondary schools for 3 years until October 2011. In addition to providing schools with energy efficiency advice the project inspired children through action-focused activities. Our programme linked directly to measurable reductions in carbon emissions.
The project made a real and lasting difference to awareness, individual behaviour and carbon emissions throughout Oxfordshire. Through case studies and monitoring the Earth Trust has proved measurable long term change. This includes schools such as Sunningwell Primary who have saved 34kWh per day over a school year, this works out at over 2 tonnes of carbon dioxide – well done ne Sunningwell Primary! More than 37,500 children have taken part and more than 30 community events benefiting from these activities.
If you would like the Energy Bus or Waste education this has moved to the Groundwork Green Schools team, please contact Richard Pollard from Groundwork on tel: 07726 695875.