Encouraging Small People to Think Big

Environmental/ Climate Change Education   In this time of uncertainly regarding our climate and increasing negative environmental issues (in my learned experience) children want to know what they can do to help? They are confused about why more is not being done by adults- especially those in power. Increasing mental health and well-being issues are visible, compounded by COVID 19 and climate anxiety. This is the most important issue/challenge that we face and I feel passionately that we must engage and empower our children with knowledge as they develop into the adults of tomorrow who will inherit responsibility for our planet.   Strategies to begin to address/de-mystify the issues in school. At our junior school in East Yorkshire, we are working hard to provide opportunities to support our pupils in actively recycling, leading a more sustainable/cyclical lifestyle and learning about relevant issues in their own locality. We use ‘ Picture News’ , an excellent assembly resourc...

Maker Education Maker Futures work completed at home during Lockdown 1. I have become so passionate about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Education over the last 5 years- having been inspired during my ongoing Primary Science Education learning journey.    I was really impressed when I met Dr Alison Buxton and learned about Maker Education (which has become increasingly popular in this country after being developed in the USA). She is an expert in her field and feels passionately about supporting children, particularly from under-represented groups, in engineering.  It made real sense to me that we should continue to support our pupils at school with skills including cutting, creating and building- these seem to have had a diminished focus in education more recently, in favour of more academic study. These are core skills required in life and when learning, so to develop resilience, patience, determination and problem solving skills.   Initiall...