Award for environment education project

A Peterborough City council officer who helped develop a unique environmental education pack for primary schools will receive a "Green Hero" award from environmental campaigner Sir David Bellamy in a presentation ceremony at the Tower of London on Monday 2nd June.

 

Community engagement officer Kirsty Martin developed 40 activities accross 12 subject areas for the educational resource box, which is now in use at Peterborough's 58 primary schools.  The activities all link to the national curriculum for Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils.

 

The pack earned silver prize in the Green Apple awards in November and now features as a best practice vase study on the government's Cleaner Safer Greener Communities website (www.cleanersafergreener.gov.uk)

 

"I'm thrilled that the resource box has earned this recognition," said kirsty.  "Other local authorities are keen to follow Peterborough's lead and we are now developing a more advanced resource box that links to the Citizenship programme in secondary schools.

 

It is essential that younger people understand how our everyday lives influence the environment and our quality of life.  youngsters are also great ambassadors for promoting the environmental message to others."

 

Cabinet member Councillor Graham Murphy will accompany Kirsty to the Green Hero ceremony.  He said: "This award enhances Peterborough's status as an Environment City and its reputation as a leader in environmental best practice.  The resource box lessons are reaching over 4,000 children, who also benefit from education visits to the counil's materials recycling facility."

 

Production of the resource box was sponsered by Mars/Masterfoods, whose community relations manager Angi Phillips added: "We take great pride in investing in community programmes that have a positive and lasting impact on the lives of those who live, learn and work for our local communities.  It is particularly important to educate young people about their environment and the difference they can make"

 

For more information and examples of some of the activities in the educational pack click here