Author: Lee Jowett

Posted on

Free access to Energy Sparks for selected Sheffield schools – helping your school save energy

Energy Sparks is a charity that offers a unique school-specific energy management tool and education programme. Using a school’s electricity, gas and solar data, Energy Sparks shows pupils and staff how much energy the school is using each day. The online tool presents bespoke analysis of the energy data with suggestions of actions the school community could take to save energy and reduce the school’s carbon emissions. 

Energy Sparks can currently offer its services free of charge for one year to Sheffield schools that meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • >30% free school meals or
  • >20% SEN or
  • (>22%) English as an additional language pupils

The funded offer includes access to the Energy Sparks energy management tool and education resources, weekly emailed energy use alerts, webinar training for staff on school energy management and using Energy Sparks with your pupils, email support, and a half-day in-school education workshop. 

Schools that don’t meet the above criteria can join Energy Sparks for £545 + VAT per year.

Find out more
Watch the introductory video to learn more about what Energy Sparks offers schools. Or book a demo session at  https://energysparks.uk/find-out-more

Example dashboards

Take a look at the dashboards for some of the participating schools to understand how Energy Sparks can help you take control of your energy use and involve the whole school community in carbon reduction.

Example adult dashboard
Example pupil dashboard

Impact
Explore case studies that showcase some of the ways that Energy Sparks schools have saved energy and improved their pupils’ energy and climate literacy.

The average Energy Sparks primary saved at least £3,000 off their energy bill over the 2022/2023 school year and 12.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide, the average secondary saved at least £12,000 and 48 tonnes of CO2. 

Join a demo or register your interest at https://energysparks.uk/find-out-more

Posted on

2nd #EcoTeachMeet at Meadowhead School

Our Second #EcoTeachMeet took place at Meadowhead School in March 2024. A huge thank you to James and Kevin for hosting and telling us all about their eco-team and the activities which they have been involved in.

You can view the presentation slides below.

  • Jen – National Education Nature Park update
  • Becky – Primary Science Teaching Trust
  • Carolyn – SCESY and Climate Fresk
25.03.24 Nature Park – EcoTeachMeetDownload
EcoTeachMeet PSTT climate resourcesDownload
SCESY and Climate FreskDownload
Posted on

COP28 kicks off this week and education plays a crucial role in the conference

The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28 for short) takes place in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December this year. The COP conferences are intended for governments to agree policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to impacts associated with climate change.

COP28 logo
COP28 logo

Most will remember COP26 which took place in Glasgow in 2021, while the most recent high-profile event was COP21 in Paris in 2015 where the ‘Paris Agreement’ was signed, pursuing efforts to limit temperature increases to 1.5oC.

Education is critical to ensure we can even try and meet these targets. UNESCO will co-host a series of events at COP28, highlighting the essential role of education in getting every learner climate-ready.

Here at the Sheffield Institute of Education we are developing innovating approaches to climate education as well as building local capacity through a Sheffield sustainable schools’ network focussing on supporting practitioners to delivery high quality climate and sustainability education.

Below are just a few resources, webinars and activities that practitioners may find useful in discussing COP28 in their own education settings.

  • Modelled on the UN climate conference in Glasgow (1-12 November 2021), a new COP26 Climate Conference resource from InterClimate Network (ICN) bring to life this critical global debate. This activity can be run any time of year and works with a class right through to a year group in the hall. Download the resources from Global Dimension (suitable for KS3 upwards).
  • To support teaching around COP28 the BBC have put together a great collection of resources for use in your primary or secondary school classroom. Many are short video clips, ideal for highlighting key concepts and issues in climate change (suitable for all Key Stages).
  • The British Council has several projects and programmes focussing on climate change and COP28, including working with YOUNGO, the official youth constituency of the UNFCCC. Find out more on their COP28 focus pages (suitable for all Key Stages).
  • The Climate Classroom offers a free and short interactive learning experience that is designed to help those attending or following climate meetings get quickly up-to-speed on important climate topics. Each class is 45 minutes long and delivered by a team of experts following a 3-step lesson plan that allows you to engage and interact with the content (suitable for KS3 upwards).
  • Chester Zoo has a dedicated website showcasing opportunities to link sustainability and climate change to the biodiversity crisis which are very child friendly. Take a look at their website. (suitable for all Key Stages).
  • UNCC:Learn (The One UN Climate Change Learning Partnership) is offering free a free and short interactive learning experience that is designed to help those attending or following climate meetings get quickly up-to-speed on important climate topics. Each class is 45 minutes long and delivered by a team of experts following a 3-step lesson plan that allows you to engage and interact with the content. Information about all the different sessions running up until the 12 December, can be found on their website (suitable for KS3 upwards).
  • Finally, something a bit different, Learning through Landscapes have created 12 themed outdoor lessons idea to enjoy with your pupils over the festive period. Download each PDF activity from their website (suitable for KS1 upwards and especially KS1 and KS2).

If you have used any of these resources or would like to recommend another which you have used, please do get in touch, or share in the comments box.

Lee Jowett
Climate Change and Sustainability Fellow, Sheffield Institute of Education

Posted on

Sheffield Sustainable Schools Network and showcasing Dobcroft Infant School’s school grounds and nature journey, Sheffield

  • November saw the first face to face #EcoTeachMeet of the Sheffield Sustainable Schools Network at Dobcroft Infant School, Sheffield.

  • Sheffield Sustainable Schools is an external network hosted by Sheffield Hallam University, Institute of Education. The network was established in September 2023 to support practitioners in Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire area to facilitate quality sustainability and climate education from early years through to higher education.

  • The network aims to develop, facilitate, and bring together those interested in climate change and sustainability education. Activities include monthly eBulletins, termly #EcoTeachMeets, termly newsletters and showcasing events taking place in and around Sheffield (for practitioners and students).
  • The network has come about due to the recent recruitment of Lee Jowett, a Climate Change and Sustainability Research Fellow who previously worked for a local authority. Further information about the network and to sign up for information is on their website.
  • As a long-standing Green Flag Eco-School, Dobcroft Infant School hosted the first #EcoTeachMeet. Over 30 school staff were able to listen Zoe Singh, Deputy Headteacher at Dobcroft Infant talk about the school grounds and nature journey as well as colleagues from Let’s Go Zero, Eco-Schools and the Yorkshire and Humber officers from the National Nature Park.
  • The school has recently developed a large forest school area so that whole year groups could access the area. This initially involved governors and the Eco-team meeting with the local Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust. One of the first steps was removing brambles to improve the overall biodiversity and the plan is to introduce a pond and range of appropriate woodland plants.
  • They have signed up for the National Nature Park, explored the Climate Friendly Schools website and are very much looking forward to delivering many of the activities being developed and showcased by the National Nature Park.
Posted on

#EcoTeachMeet resources

The first #EcoTeachMeet took place on Tuesday 14 November at Dobcroft Infant School, Sheffield. The event was very well attended with nearly 30 people attending from primary and secondary schools all over Sheffield along with colleagues from various local and national environmental organisations.

Below are the slides from the presenters.

If you would like to provide some feedback and ideas of how to shape the network, opportunities and if you would be willing to host a future #EcoTeachMeet please complete this short Microsoft eForm.

14.11.23 Nature Park – EcoTeachMeet network meetingDownload
Sustainable Schools Network #EcoTeachMeetDownload

As always, if you would like more information on anything, just let me know

Lee Jowett, Climate Change and Sustainability Fellow
Institute of Education, Sheffield Hallam University

Posted on

First Network Meeting #EcoTeachMeet

Our first network meeting #EcoTeachMeet will take place on Tuesday 14 November 2023 – 4.00pm-5.30pm at Dobcroft Infant School, Pringle Road, Sheffield, S7 2LN.

The network meeting is an opportunity for practitioners in schools and education settings to meet up on an informal basis to learn about exciting projects, activities and events taking place both locally and nationally. Whether you are a class teacher, teaching assistant, premises officer, senior leader, or officer in a Multi Academy Trust – you are all very welcome.

The event will include an opportunity to look at the school grounds of Dobcroft Infant School, a number of short presentations, and informal time to speak to colleagues. Confirmed speakers will appear here shortly.

Confirmed Speakers

  • Lee Jowett, Climate Change Researcher, SHU – Climate Action Plans and National Nature Park, Tiny Forests & events taking place in the city.
  • Let’s Go Zero – information about the campaign, projects and competitions
  • Francis Hyland – Eco-Schools England, Keep Britain Tidy – all about the programme, projects and activities

To confirm attendance please complete this eForm.

Posted on

Climate Futures

Screenshot of Climate Futures design frame

The resource comprises an introductory activity, which launches the series and provides opportunities for self review, and five main tasks relating to key areas of activity that contribute to climate change:

Climate Futures, from the Centre for Science Education and the Comino Foundation, is a contemporary curriculum resource that focuses on unravelling the complexity of climate change and environmental issues for lower secondary and upper primary students (10-14 years old).

Titles in the series
The series includes:
* The Introductory activity
* Green biker, on transport
* Garbage guru, on waste
* Food for thought, on food
* Smart energy, on energy and electricity
* Addicted to energy, on energy and materialism

Features
Each Climate Futures activity follows an innovative format:
1. All of the activities are underpinned throughout by the development of personal capability skills promoting aspects of critical thinking, communication, self-belief, creativity and teamwork.
2. Dilemma activities provide students with problems to solve by posing quandaries. They are designed to promote discussion amongst students and to encourage them to think of creative solutions.
3. ‘Making a difference’ aims to focus students on how they can explore things further. It is a stimulus to further extended work and proactive involvement in engaging with the issues of climate change.
4. The review opportunity is based on a ‘smart grid’ where students can record their progress across a range of personal development skills.

The Climate Futures materials were developed by the Centre for Science Education at Sheffield Hallam University with funding from the Comino Foundation.

Available on STEM Learning

Posted on

Schools Climate Change Conference

Schools Climate Education South Yorkshire (SCESY) is hosting the 4th Annual South Yorkshire Schools Climate Conference at Niagara Conference Centre, Niagara Road, Hillsborough, Sheffield S6 1LU Thursday 29th February 2024 9:30am to 3pm Schools are invited to register an expression of interest for groups of up to 8 young people from Y5-Y10 with 2 adults using this link.

The conference is free to South Yorkshire schools.

Breaking new ground with an exciting and inspiring format, all conference attendees will participate in a Climate Fresk workshop. Using a set of age-appropriate cards with information from the latest IPCC report on climate change.

Participants will be taken through a process of sharing knowledge, increasing their understanding of the interactions between different aspects of climate change, reflect on how they feel and explore how to respond, developing possible plans for action.

Posted on

Tiny Forests

> Quick Link – Tiny Forest – expression of interest

Students planting a Tiny Forest in Leicester, UK

Tiny Forests are dense, fast-growing areas of woodland planted with the aims of reconnecting people with nature, mitigating the effects of climate change and creating nature-rich habitat patches in urban environments.

Why do we need Tiny Forests

Environmental issues such as flooding, heat stress and loss of biodiversity are increasingly affecting urban areas.

Creating thriving and climate-resilient urban areas that support economic growth, whilst also enhancing livelihoods and wellbeing, is a considerable challenge.

Tiny Forest can play a part in facing this challenge. They bring the benefits of a forest – reconnecting people with nature and raising awareness, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change, as well as providing nature-rich habitat patches to support urban wildlife – right into the heart of our cities and urban spaces.

Help mitigate the effects of the climate crisis, one Tiny Forest at a time.

What is a Tiny Forest?

  • A Tiny Forest is a dense fast-growing native woodland, based on an established forest management method developed in the 1970s by Dr Akira Miyawaki.
  • Environmental and social data is collected for every forest we plant, this helps us assess the benefits they provide over time and between different forests.
  • 600 trees planted densely in a tennis-court size plot, maximising benefits per m2 of land
  • Planting method encourages accelerated forest development and uses no chemicals or fertilisers
  • Low management and maintenance requirements after the first two years
  • Rich biodiversity, capable of attracting over 500 animal and plant species within the first 3 years
  • A nature-rich accessible green space and outdoor classroom for people to reconnect with nature
  • Monitoring data gathered by citizen scientists to help understand how Tiny Forests develop, and quantify the climate benefits
  • Links to business sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and environmental, social corporate governance (ESG)

How can we use Tiny Forests in schools?

Tiny Forests are a fantastic way to engage young people with the environment. The school community can be involved in the planting and maintenance of the forest. There is a space left as an outdoor classroom to encourage further use of the Tiny Forest in years to come.

Would you like a Tiny Forest in your school or college grounds?

Tiny Forests are a fantastic way to engage young people with the environment. The school community can be involved in the planting and maintenance of the forest. There is a space left as an outdoor classroom to encourage further use of the Tiny Forest in years to come

We are currently identifying potential funding which would cover the cost of implementing Tiny Forests in school grounds. To help understand demand and capacity, if you would like to be considered for a Tiny Forest in your school or college please complete this short eForm.