TG Escapes Blog
Eco Schools Show 2012
UPDATE 25th June 2012
We are off to the Eco-Schools show today to set up for our workshop tomorrow. We will be talking about how Outdoor Learning can inspire Environmental Citizenship. You can also find us on Stand 19 so come along for a chat.
We have made a video, Inspiring Environmental Citizenship, which we will be showing featuring two schools we have worked with. Take a look if you like:
This yearâs Eco Schools Show is taking place on 26th June in Sheffield and The Learning Escape is thrilled to be involved and running a workshop on outdoor classrooms space and exhibiting. The event showcases new and innovative projects currently taking place to make schools more environmentally friendly and aware. 2012 is a big year for the Eco Schools Show as âthe Podâ, EDFâs programme for greener schools, will be the headline sponsor. The event is set to include a number of workshops for both pupils and teachers, performances and presentations, an activity zone, âAsk the Expertâ and a wide range of exhibitors â us included!
Last yearâs Eco Schools Show proved how many people are getting involved with the movement. As of 2011âs event there were over 16,000 schools involved and 69% of all schools in England were registered with the program. Over the previous two years these Eco Schools had made a 20% reduction in CO2, a saving of almost ÂŁ8,000,000.
Exhibitors travelled from all over the country to showcase their eco products and projects. Some of our favourites included Cyclepods (http://cyclepods.co.uk/) a great way to store bikes safely at schools and workplaces and Fawns Recreational (http://www.fawns.co.uk/) providers of playground equipment to encourage outdoor play and exercise.
A presentation from Ofsted put an emphasis on the importance of sustainability in schools and encouraging children to be sensitive about the environment for their future and generations to come. Ofsted suggested that it is important to really involve pupils with sustainable projects and to make it a clear mission at the heart of the school. Worcestershire County Council put forward ideas of linking school sustainability projects with county strategies and plans. They showed the success of award schemes and building on energy saving projects such as âSwitch it Offâ.
The 2011 Eco Schools Show also saw the launch of Eco Communities, a fantastic project put forward as an accumulation of three successful programmes; eco schools, eco homes and echo centres. The new programme aims to support local communities tackling climate change.
Find more information about last yearâs show and exhibitors online: http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/ecoschools/newsevents/conferencedownloads
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