Schools sign up to help change future
Oct 22 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal
EIGHTY North East schools have signed up to a pioneering scheme which will put climate change at the heart of classroom learning.
The region’s Climate Change Lead Schools Network, the first of its kind in the UK, was launched at the Science Learning Centre North East, which is part of Durham University.
Aims of the scheme are how to put climate change at the heart of the national curriculum and inspire an innovative way of creatively bringing the climate change challenge to life for young people.
The project seeks to pave the way for what is hoped will become a national programme of climate change education and action.
Lead Schools will use specially produced materials developed by North East teachers and undergo professional development courses to enable them to help neighbouring schools and their local communities.
Every local authority in the North East is represented in the Lead Schools network.
The scheme has grown from Durham centre’s Climate Change Schools Project, led Dr Krista McKinzey.
She said: “It’s crucial that our young people realize that the future is not set in stone – that we can do something positive about it.
“It is these young ambassadors who will change the world and help make our planet a more sustainable one.
“The overall aim of the Climate Change Lead Schools is to become a self-sustaining network of visionary and pioneering schools who help to build climate change understanding and change teaching, learning and positive action.”
Teachers were introduced to a carbon footprint online tool kit which will enable the schools to cut their emissions, and they will also be issued with energy monitoring devices.
The event was also addressed by Defra’s 2007 and 2008 youth North East climate change champions David Saddington and Jack White.
The Climate Change Schools Project recently published a book authored by 250 young people.
It also operates an electric car which is charged from a wind turbine at the centre site.
Green flag
EASINGTON Community Science College in County Durham will hoist its Eco-Schools Green Flag for the first time tomorrow.
The comprehensive became the only school in the North East to hold Green Flag status when its work to raise awareness of eco issues was officially recognised earlier this year.
Easington joined the programme in November 2006, since when pupils have successfully taken part in a wide range of projects from securing £3,000 to install new litterbins to organising a climate change conference for schoolchildren from around the district.
