Schools Low Carbon Day Launches: Educating 1 Million Children
30/04/2010

National Schools Campaign to Raise Awareness about Climate Change on June 24th 2010

March 29, 2010: An annual event for both primary and secondary schools is announced today which aims to educate 1 million pupils across Britain about climate change and make them more aware of the impact they and their family have on the environment.

Organised by Cool The World, a registered charity set up by a group of mothers, ‘Schools Low Carbon Day’ has been designed to raise awareness of climate change among those who will be most affected by it – the younger generation - and give support and resources to schools looking to teach their pupils about this issue in a fun and engaging way. 

On June 24th 2010, schools up and down the country will dedicate the morning to teaching their pupils about climate change and inspire them to do something to reduce carbon emissions in their home or school.

1000 schools representing some 350,000 pupils have already registered to take part, but the aim is to generate mass participation and teach 1 million pupils on the same day - to maximise the impact of the initiative and make pupils feel they can affect greater change together.
The structure of the morning is flexible and ultimately down to individual schools and teachers, however it is suggested that teachers planning to take part in the event split the morning as follows:

An ‘academic’ period, learning about climate change and energy use

A ‘practical’ period; possible activities include designing a poster, making a solar powered boat, holding a debate on nuclear power or climate change

An ‘action’ period during which children will calculate their carbon footprint and pledge to do something about it

Teachers can access online resources from http://www.lowcarbonday.com/  and find lesson plans which meet curriculum objectives in Science, Geography and Design & Technology and include lessons for Key Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4.

“Schools Low Carbon Day is about mobilising the people who will be most affected
by climate change: our children. Schools have a vital role to play in educating children about the issue and by focusing attention and resource on one particular morning in the school calendar, teachers can educate their pupils about the environment in a fun and engaging way” says Erica Charles, mother and Cool The World charity founder. 

To find out more information about Schools Low Carbon Day, sign up and download example teaching packs and educational activities go to http://www.lowcarbonday.com/  
 

Notes
The website pulls together more than 30 lesson plans and sets of lesson plans from online sources such as Generation Green (supported by British Gas), The Low Carbon Partnership, ACE (The Atmosphere, Climate & Environment Information Programme, supported by DEFRA),The Prince’s Rainforest Project and others.

Designed by teachers, these educational resources explore the themes of renewable energy, climate change and the environment. The resources include links to relevant programmes on Teachers TV as well video clips explaining different renewable technologies. In addition there are two carbon calculators, one for adults / families and one for children, focusing on the footprint produced by lights, televisions, computers, holidays and the journey to school.

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