Learning about….Resources and web-links for the classroom
Teaching about Bio-fuels
These resources are split into two proposed sets or lessons. The first set explores the advantages and disadvantages of different types of bio-fuels, and the second looks at the bio-fuels debate and the impacts of bio-fuels production in more detail. This resource was developed and trialled by teachers at Graveney School in South London.
Sustrans Literacy and Numeracy Framework Education Resource
Sustrans is a leading UK charity enabling people to choose healthier, cheaper and cleaner journeys. This teaching resource addresses every element of the Literacy and Numeracy Framework in Wales through a series of standalone activities linked to the topic of active travel. It can also be used within the English curriculum. Designed for use with pupils in Years 5 and 6, there are 28 activities in all, 15 for literacy and 13 for numeracy. One of the activities How do other children travel to school? includes case studies from Kenya and Bangladesh. The resource can be downloaded free as a PDF from the Sustrans website (see link above. You will need to fill in a form before downloading.
This organisation provides a wealth of ideas to promote it’s mission to:
Link schools across Europe to help slow down the impact of global climate change
Inspire and empower young people to take practical action to save energy and carbon in school
Enthuse and support teachers to bring carbon saving to life in the classroom.
Siemens UK Education – Teaching Resources
Siemens is a global engineering and electronics company working in four business sectors: energy, industry, healthcare and infrastructure & cities. It has developed a range of interesting and challenging Schemes of Work for Key Stages 3 & 4 (ages 11-16) based on the technologies it is developing in these sectors. The first scheme is themed on researching and investigating issues around the fuel, design and environmental impact of London’s hybrid technology buses. Other themes include wind farms, medical technology and urban infrastructure. The resources support learning in maths, science and technology, with a focus on students’ understanding processes and logic, and engaging in active problem solving and solution development. Each Scheme of Work is accompanied by a lesson plan, student support information and a video or image bank. Curriculum links are provided for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Kenya: Getting to School by Foot
With few cars, no school bus and often muddy paths, there are few options but to walk or run to school in the area surrounding Mount Elgon in Kenya. Some pupils travel up to 15km per day with no shoes on. Isobel, a primary school pupil who attends a school near Mount Elgon, highlights the problem of the terrible roads in the region. She explains that her mother died after complications from giving birth because she couldn’t get to hospital in time. She believes that if the roads had been better this might not have happened. However, one positive that comes from the long and sometimes treacherous roads is that the area is famous for producing some of the best distance runners in the world. Some children see the run to school as a way to train to become athletes.