Harrogate Borough Council
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Schools and the Environment
We have a range of environmental resources and activities for schools.
The "Climate Action Programme", our new scheme of work for Key Stage 2 is now available. We also have some fantastic interactive classroom resources which support the Programme and are available to borrow free of charge. See below for details.
- NEW! Climate Action
Programme - this exciting new scheme of work for Key Stage 2
explores the science of climate change, and aims to reduce energy
use at school and at home. We have developed detailed tried
and tested lesson plans; and put together a set of
classroom resources to go with the Programme. The Programme is
available free to Harrogate District Primary Schools on CD Rom,
and it will be published online soon. Call 01423
556909 for more information.
- NEW! The Electricycle - our unique electricity
generating exercise bike vividly demonstrates the idea of energy
efficiency. The bike uses pedal power alone to light up a set
of energy efficient and not-so-efficient light bulbs. The
Electricycle is appropriate for ages 7 - adult and is available on
loan. Call 01423 556909 for more
information.
- BAFTERS
Awards 2009 - the district's glitzy environmental awards,
recognising large and small environmental activities.
- Action 4 Energy - This case study provides practical, tried and tested advice and resources on teaching sustainability. This Case Study is the result of a year long pilot project carried out by Harrogate Borough Council.
Climate Action Programme
Introduction
We received funding from the Harrogate District Strategic
Partnership to develop our Climate Action Programme for primary
schools.The programme is an exciting resource which raises awareness
of climate change in Key Stage 2, leading to energy
savings and waste reduction in the school and at home.
Climate Change is one of the greatest challenges to our way of
life. The Climate Action Programme increases understanding of
the cause and effects of climate change, and helps students find
out some of the solutions to the problem.
The programme links to many part of the curriculum:
- Science
- Maths
- Geography
- Citizenship
- Art
- Drama
What the is the programme?
The Programme is a scheme of work for KS2 in six classroom
sessions.
The objectives of the Programme are that children will have
improved knowledge and understanding of the causes and effects of
climate change, and some of the solutions available.
The Programme provides an excellent opportunity for
the class to plan a community or whole-school event where
the children pass on what they have learnt to the rest of the
school and their parents.
The whole school can then embarks on an Climate Action Plan, ideally with the intention of saving 10% of its energy use over the following year.
The whole school can then embarks on an Climate Action Plan, ideally with the intention of saving 10% of its energy use over the following year.
Classroom Resources - free to borrow
We can lend a range of props and exciting interactive
classroom resources to participating schools which complement
the sessions.
The resources are:
- Mini renewable energy kits - wind turbine, solar hot
water panel and solar PV panel.
These provide an excellent scaled-down demonstration of renewable energy. They are easy to set up and use and are hard-wearing - Solar powered model cars.
These can be built in class and are fantastic way to show how sunlight can be made into electricity. - The Electricycle.
This exercise bike has been converted to generate electricity to power a set of efficient and not-so-efficient light bulbs. It is an energetic way to vividly show the idea behind energy efficiency. - Global Warming Floor Model.
This large wooden model fits together like a puzzle to clearly show the basic principles of the greenhouse effect - Smart meter.
Any electrical appliance can be plugged into the smart meter box to show exactly how many units of electricity it is using, how much it is costing to run, and how much carbon dioxide is being released as a result. - Resources box.
The box contains hard copies of all the Climate Action Programme lesson plans and teachers' notes, along with laminated fact cards, small props, a greenhouse effect experiment kit and card games.
Programme Outline
Session 1 Energy Introduction
- What is Fossil Fuel?
- The story of electricity from the Power Station to the plug.
- Appliances how we use electricity.
- Resources available on loan: oil, coal, and gas examples; posters and fact cards.
Session 2 Climate Change
- Visualising the greenhouse effect.
- Where in the world climate quiz.
- Weather "what if?" scenarios
- Resources available on loan: play script, model and experiment; map of the world and weather symbols; two minute video.
Session 3 Energy Efficiency 1
- Introducing the concept with a light bulb efficiency experiment
- "Stop the great escape" insulation experiment
- Energy labels technology.
- How can we take action?
- Energy calculations.
- The energy efficient house vote things in and out of the house to make it as efficient as possible
- Resources available on loan: light bulb experiment; insulation examples and experiment; house cards and contents; stickers.
Session 4 Energy Efficiency 2
- School Energy Audit developed by class
- Make an Action Plan
Session 5 Renewable Energy
- Renewable v non-renewable
- Renewable technologies: wind, solar, hydro, biomass
- Experiments solar car race
- Resources available on loan: picture cards; worksheets; wind turbine kit; solar hot water panel kit; solar electricity kit; solar car kits.
Session 6 Sustainability
- Global foot printing
- Three R's of waste - "Reduce, Re-use,.Recycle"
- Sustainable School
- Poster design
- Resources available on loan: foot-printing cards, recycling examples, Internet games.
York Environment Centre Visit
The centre, based at St Nicholas Fields, York, has developed a
session especially to complement the Climate Action
Programme.
The session allows students to see working examples
of renewable energy, energy efficiency, water saving, composting
and recycling.
There is a small charge per child.
Visit: York Environment Centre
website
Further information
If you would like more information about the
programme or a copy of the CD Rom resource, or would like to
book any of the classroom resources, please contact:
Environmental Projects Officer
Environmental Strategy Unit
Department of Community Services
Harrogate Borough Council
Springfield House
King's Road
Harrogate
HG1 5NX
Tel: 01423 556909
Fax: 01423 556860
BAFTERS Schools Award
The BAFTERS (Best Action For The Environment Road Show), is the district's biennial awards scheme for environmental activities.
If your school has been involved in any environmental activities, such as improving the school grounds, encouraging greener travel to school, or saving energy at school, make an entry to the BAFTERS.
The glitzy awards ceremony will be in Summer 2009 - as always, it will be an event for staff and students to remember.
More information on the BAFTERS
'Action 4 Energy' case study
An Environmental Projects Officer worked with a number of schools to develop a case study called 'Action 4 Energy', which looked at energy use, climate change and sustainability in schools.
The case study contains practical advice, classroom and assembly suggestions: and ideas for tried and tested activities.
The case study is available at www.yhub.org.uk
Page updated: 20 June 2008