Devon
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle in Devon Schools
Resource Futures have been delivering the Waste Education Programme in Devon since September 2008. This work is funded by Devon County Council and is FREE to schools.
Feedback on our work is consistently high; in 2008/09 99% of Devon teachers rated our assemblies and workshops as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. Typical comments from teachers are:
“A strong message at an appropriate level.” The Duchy School, Bradninch
“The children had a brilliant time and loved all the activities - especially the minibeasts. The follow up activities really extended their knowledge.” Yealmpton Primary School
Devon Schools' Waste Education Programme 2009/10
Resource Futures' 3-step Waste Education programme is very flexible and can be customised to meet the needs of all schools. To discuss your school's requirements please contact the Waste Education Officer for your area.
1. Investigating Waste
Children gain a lively introduction to waste issues by investigating the waste generated by their school. They then learn about its impact on the environment and how they can take action to help. A waste audit provides a wealth of cross-curricular learning opportunities for children from Y2 to Y6.
- Geography: Improving the environment
- Maths: data handling, using force meters, percentages
- ICT: using excel spreadsheets
- Literacy: follow-up work using persuasive writing
If you are just beginning to address waste issues, we will run an in-school waste audit with the children to analyse what you are throwing away. Having established which materials your school is throwing away, we will help pupils formulate an action plan to reduce your school's waste. If you have recently done a waste audit, go straight to step 2.
2. Taking Action
Our Waste Education Officers will support you in implementing your action plan to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Curriculum-linked workshops
Choose from a comprehensive range of curriculum-linked 3Rs workshops.
Assemblies
Spread the 3Rs message to the whole school with one of our 3Rs assemblies:
- Waste issues and the 3Rs
- Launching a new recycling initiative
- Feeding back audit results
- The 3Rs at Christmas/ New Year's Resolutions
- Recycling and Climate Change
- Composting
- Marine Litter
Visits
Contact Heidi Diepold to arrange visits to landfill sites, composting sites and recycling facilities 01392 382920
Advice
We will help you set up recycling and composting systems, which will often involve working closely with caretakers and kitchen staff, as well as pupils and teachers. We can advise you on ways to get the whole school community involved, as well as linking with local and national initiatives.
3. Assessing Progress
At least six months after your first waste audit, your Waste Education Officer will help pupils to repeat the auditing process, evaluate the effectiveness of your action plan and celebrate your acheivements. We will then support you in planning for taking action in the future.
Curriculum-linked workshops
Resource Futures' workshops have been designed by qualified and experienced teachers. We work with one class at a time, and most workshops take between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 hours. Each session has something for pupils to take home to reinforce learning objectives and stimulate discussion in the home.
Y2, KS2 Packed Lunch Waste or Paper Audit
Investigate either the paper recycling system or waste created at lunchtime to let pupils come to their own powerful conclusions as to how they can reduce, reuse and recycle more effectively.
For curriculum links see waste audit information.
KS2 Recycled Materials Challenge
A fascinating workshop challenging pupils to consider the natural resources used to make everyday items, and what these can be recycled into. Many suprising facts are revealed along the way!
Links to: Geography 8 - Improving the environment, PSHE/citizenship
Y1, Y2 Materials
A 'rubbish' feelie bag allows children to explore the properties of materials before deciding whether they should be put into the bin or not. Moving around the classroom, they act out the recycling of a can before making a fridge magnet to take home.
Links to: 1C Sorting and using materials, 2D Grouping and changing materials
KS2 Litter in the Environment
Pupils are given the chance to explore the local environment and learn about the effects of litter on wildlife, humans and our countryside.
Links to:Geography 8 Improving the environment, PSHE/ citizenship
KS2 3Rs House
How can we all do our bit to make less rubbish at home? Pupils use group working skills and colourful images to build an environmentally friendly house. They discuss issues such as washable nappies, rechargeable batteries, and mending objects instead of throwing them away.
Links to: Geography 8 Improving the environment, PSHE/ citizenship
R, Y1 Minibeasts in the Compost Bin
An active session of movement and fun! Imagining the school hall asa huge compost bin, pupils are transformed into wiggling worms, scuttling centipedes and slimy snails.
Links particularly well with work on minibeasts/plants
Y2, Y3 Compost and Growing Plants (March-July)
Pupils explore how minibeasts living in a compost bin help to recycle the nutrients in green waste. They plant a seedling in a reused pot and observe fresh compost teeming with minibeasts!
Links to: 2B Plants and animals in the local environment, 3B Helping plants grow well
Y4, Y5, Y6 The Compost Bin Habitat (March-July)
Y4/5: Learn about the compost bin habitat, and meet the herbivores and carnivores that are adapted to this fascinating environment. Having observed live minibeasts fresh from the compost bin, pupils use pictures to build up food chains.
Links to: 4B Habitats (6B Micro-organisms)
You can download a printable copy of our brochure here.
Contact us
For further details or to make a booking for the waste Education Programme contact:
Alex Mack if your school is in South Hams, Teignbridge, West Devon, Torbay or Plymouth 07944 791971
Rebecca Evans if your school is in East Devon, Torridge or Exeter 07903 868263
Sally Jackson if your school is in Mid Devon or North Devon 07944 791971
back to top
