Tasks and activities for the online discussion
Classroom activities
All of the activities are optional. They could be used to introduce pupils to some of the issues, weblinks, and factfiles before the period of live debate (7th - 18th November). They could also be used as an offline activity at any time during or after these dates.
Online tasks
The online tasks are generic and appear in each discussion area to help pupils explore consumption and footprint (see Why consumption matters). They will find that the footprint calculators do offer some insight but they will need to dig deeper and think around the issues with the help of experts, online resources, the moderators etc. The first question for each issue can be used to explore chains of production and the links that show how the provision of food/water etc affect the environment. The second question about reducing footprint needs to be based on good understanding of issues raised in the first question, and discussion should be extended to reduction of consumption beyond the school gates.
In each discussion area pupils will be reminded to:
- do their own research by using the websites and factfiles section in the Resource Bank;
- ask our panel of experts for advice – they can find information about them in the Resource Bank;
- discuss the issues with people in class and at home;
- contact local experts and ask for their advice.
Tasks for each discussion area
Food
Classroom task
Frogmella is a Year 6 pupil at the Very Hungry School. She has a bacon, lettuce, mayonnaise, and tomato sandwich and a can of fizzy drink for lunch every single day. Frogmella needs help with a couple of questions:
"Can somebody please explain to me how my lunch is supposed to be hurting this precious little planet?"
"And anyway, what difference can one person make?"
Use information from the Is your lunch killing the planet? web page to create a written or oral response to Frogmella's questions.
Online task
How big a part does food play in the ecological footprint of your school? How can this be reduced?
Water
Classroom task
Amanzi is a Year 5 pupil at the Very Hungry School. He looked at the 'Small Changes, Big Savings' pack on the southernwater website and said:
"There's no point doing the water audit unless your school is prepared to buy all of those things on the 'improvement products list' on page 9."
Use the information from the Southern Water website to conduct your own water audit. Tell Amanzi what you think about the audit and opportunities for saving water in school.
Online task
How big a part does water play in the ecological footprint of your school? How can this be reduced?
Transport
Classroom task
Hornblast is a Year 5 pupil at the Very Hungry School. He looked at a database on the youngtransnet website and said:
"I looked at ideas for getting more people to travel to school by walking, cycling or public transport. There are lots of ideas but none of them are any good. Travelling by car is safer and healthier."
Look at the Young transnet website and collect suggestions in your own school. Create a short play in which Hornblast is part of a group that is discussing the issue of travelling to school.
Online task
How big a part does transport play in the ecological footprint of your school? How can this be reduced?
Energy
Classroom task
Mrs Tawanaai is the schoolkeeper at the Very Hungry School. She looked at some of the energy websites and said:
"I looked at the 'climate change explained' section of the est.org website and decided that we must do something to cut the school's energy consumption. The other websites give good advice but now I need help so that I can present the headteacher with a plan of action."
Use the websites below to create a plan of action for energy saving.
Energy Savings Trust: My Home
Energy Savings Trust: Schools
Centre for Sustainable Energy
Rebuild Anerica.Energy Smart Schools
Online task
How big a part does energy play in the ecological footprint of your school? How can this be reduced?
Materials and waste
Classroom task
Mr Poubelle is a governor of the Very Hungry School. He looked at the activities on the recyclezone website and said:
"This website is full of good ideas about saving money for the school. Children don't understand how cutting waste and consumption is linked to environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, and habitat loss; and most of them probably don't even care."
Use the Recycle Zone website to prepare an assembly or display about reducing waste and consumption in schools.
Online task
How big a part do materials and waste play in the ecological footprint of your school? How can this be reduced?
Taking action
One of the main goals of this project is that schools develop Action Plans to reduce consumption and promote sustainability.
In this discussion area you can describe Action Plans that have been agreed at your school. Tell us what you're going to do and how you're going to do it. Include any plans intended to promote sustainable consumption beyond your school gates. Your Action Plan should contain short, medium, and long-term targets.
You can also tell us about the progress of any relevant Action Plans that are already in operation in your school. How are things developing? Have you discovered anything that might be useful for other schools?