Education is vital in enabling an understanding of the local and global effects of climate change. Schools, higher education and further education have the opportunity to help engage young people and mature students about the issues. Students and young people have demonstrated their energy and creativity in wanting to learn more, get involved and take action to fight against climate change.
We encourage schools to sign up to the Green Charter for schools in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and aim for Eco-schools status.
Eco Schools
Eco Schools is a global programme engaging millions of children, making it the largest educational programme on the planet. It provides free resources to help schools work towards international green flag status.
See a map showing which schools in Cornwall have achieved Eco-School award and which schools are working towards it.
Green Charter for schools
Liskeard School and Community College, in collaboration with other secondary schools, developed a Green Charter for schools in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Resources
Waste and Recycling
The Pod has an interactive and educational platform for teachers and children. It offers free lesson plans, practical activities, assemblies, films, games and information.
Surfers Against Sewage provides educational resources and helps schools achieve Plastic Free Status. They also run an Ocean School to deepen children's understanding of the marine environment and how to protect it.
Beach Guardian is based in Padstow and established a Schools Educational Activities Link workshop in collaboration with Cornwall Council. The Beach Guardian assembly and workshop session is FREE of charge to Cornwall Schools. Dates are subject to availability so please email seal@beachguardian.co.uk or call 01841 521132
Green Travel
The Eden Project provide free lesson plans and you can book a trip to go and visit their biodomes.
The United Nation's introductory e-course on climate change may be useful.
The Met Office provide resources to help children discover maths and science through weather and climate. They combine world leading meteorology expertise with a sense of fun and adventure through free curriculum-linked resources.
Suez Cornwall run educational visits to the Cornwall Energy Recovery Centre that aim to engage pupils of all abilities to investigate sustainability, energy and resource management. The trip includes a behind the scenes tour.
One of the challenges for schools is having a positive response to the natural desire for students to show their concern about the environment. Global Action Plan created a Climate Chaos Response Toolkit to support schools and leadership teams to develop and build on schools' positive responses to the climate emergency.
Stem Learning provide the resource Climate Futures from the Centre for Science Education and the Comino Foundation primarily for 10-14 year olds.
Outdoor Classroom provide resources for teachers, giving lesson ideas and guidance on making outdoor learning and play part of every school day.
Biodiversity
Forest for Cornwall is Cornwall Council's flagship environmental solution to Climate Change in partnership with the Woodland Trust - and we are encouraging individuals, schools and businesses to get involved.
Cornwall Wildlife Trust has information on how to help wildlife at school. They also run the 30 days wild campaign, the UK's biggest nature challenge.
The Woodland Trust can provide free trees for Schools and community groups and have online resources for schools with planning tools, planting advice and quizzes.
British Bee Keepers Association run 'project Bees in Schools' and they have advice and curriculum packages.
Sustainable growing, cooking and eating
The Take a bite out of Climate Change has resources for schools and families, including climate food flashcards to understand how food choices contribute to climate change.
Learn more
Cornwall Climate Care have resources to help teachers. The teaching packs are designed to stimulate deeper learning and conversation about climate change.
Visit our Cornwall's Climate Response Hive to find out more about resources and support available you to.