Down District Council, in partnership with the Ulster Wildlife Trust, runs an Environmental Education Programme for schools, groups and the public through its Environmental Services Department.
Option 1. ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ KS 1, 2 & 3
During this session the pupils are encouraged to understand the relevance of the three R’s, and gain some knowledge of the variety of materials we can recycle. The session takes about half an hour for KS 1, and one hour for both KS 2 & 3, and includes a short video, and some recycling games to reinforce learning objectives.
*This lesson is suitable for either one or two class groups together
Option 2. 'Need that bag?!!' KS 2
In Northern Ireland alone, we are using 500 million plastic bags every year!
This 20 minute assembly looks at the problems associated with this shocking statistic and how pupils can do something about it.
Inspired by the popular character ‘Shirley the bag lady’, who has actively campaigned for a reduction in plastic bag use, pupils can take a pledge card home and ask their families to pledge to use fewer bags. Successful Pupils are rewarded with certificates of merit.
*Suitable for KS 2 Assembly
Option 3. Household Recycling Centre, & Landfill Site Visit KS 2 & 3
Educational Visit to Castlewellan Household Recycling Centre to look at the wide variety of materials that can be recycled. In stark contrast, the Group will visit Drumnakelly landfill site to witness the huge volume of valuable materials that have been dumped by our throw-away society.
*Suitable for individual classes
Option 4 - ‘Creating Carrots, from Bananas?’ KS 2 (possibly KS 3)
Composting workshop where pupils are encouraged to recognise the value of composting their school waste, and keeping the earth’s dwindling resources out of landfill.
During this one hour session, they can see compost in various stages (from a brown aging banana peel, to a rich earthy compost), plant up a grass man, and finally set up a compost bin for the school to use.
*Suitable for individual classes.
Option 5- ‘Out with the litter lout!’ KS 2&3
Litter is an expensive, unsightly, and even dangerous problem. The session aims to cover the issues associated with litter, and how we can all be part of the solution.
Depending on the group, the presentation includes either slides or a short cartoon video. In addition the group can take the opportunity to carry out a litter pick within their own school grounds.
*This lesson is suitable for either one, or two class groups together.
Telephone Number: 028 4461 0819