Sir John Talbot's School Eco Dropdown Day

Key Stage 3 Event 2022

Earth Day

Friday 8th April 2022

What is the aim of the day?

To help raise awareness of environmental issues and to coincide with Earth Day 2022, Key Stage 3 students at Sir John Talbot's School will have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of exciting trips and workshops with an environmental focus.

Following on from the COP26 carbon pledges we hope to help make a difference to our world.

Check out the following: #InvestInOurPlanet earthday.org/earth-day-2022

How to choose your workshop?

Once you have read about all the exciting workshops and trips available on the day you will need to choose your top 3 using this link - https://forms.office.com/r/7SwUp4CcbF. It will be on a first come first served basis so it may be that popular workshops will get booked up quickly. The deadline for completing your choices is MONDAY 7TH MARCH. Selection for workshops will also be decided on your general behaviour and attitude to learning.

lucy.jennings@sjt.mmat.co.uk 01948 660600

1) Green Dragon's Den Do you think you have what it takes to design the next multi- million pound product that will help the environment or reduce waste? Then this is the workshop for you. After a talk from a local 'ecobusiness' you will work in groups to design and pitch your ideas for a new eco-product.

2) This music is rubbish!

Do you have a flair for making noise?! Embrace your creative side and join this 'Junk Band' workshop. You will make instruments created from upcycled waste, working with a renowned ‘Stomp’ musician and your team to create rhythm and beats to move your feet.

3) Fordhall Farm Do you have an interest in how your local food is produced and how farming can be a key driver in conservation? In this workshop you will spend the morning looking at the organic/sustainable farming that happens at Fordhall Farm, Market Drayton. In the afternoon you will have the chance to leave your mark by helping to plant trees for future generations to enjoy www.fordhallfarm.com.

4) Mr Kay's herb garden Ever thought that the areas outside the Maths rooms could do with a bit of a tidy up? Then this is the workshop for you.

The Maths Department want to brighten up the area by creating some colourful planters to grow herbs and edible flowers in. Not only will this provide a haven for bees and other insects but the herbs can be used in Food Technology lessons or taken home to be used in your cooking.

5) Community litter pick The theme of this years 'World Earth Day' is volunteering. What better way to improve your local environment than to work with the legend that is Mrs Apperley and Whitchurch Rotary and do a local litter pick around Jubilee Park - www.keepbritaintidy.org.

6) Appleby Farm foraging In this workshop you will visit a local farm and learn how they have made cheese, milk and butter for generations. The Appleby family have integrated traditional farming and food production with conservation and sustainability. After you have had a go at making 'Appleby butter' you will go foraging in the woodland for nettles and wild garlic to make into pesto and soup www.applebysdairy.com.

7) Upcycled artwork Let your creative side loose by making amazing artwork and sculptures from plastic waste and other things we throw away. These can be individual sculptures to take home or a larger masterpiece to showcase in school.

8) COP26 Conference Ever thought you could do a better job than the politicians when it comes to doing something to reduce climate change? Then this is the workshop for you. Working in teams you will research the issues faced by your country with regards to climate change and then work together to make sure your voice is heard on the global stage. Who knows you maybe the next Greta just waiting to be unleashed?!

9) Sustainable fashion Fashion is one industry that has been in the headlines recently for all the wrong reasons. Fast fashion is having a massive impact on our planet. This workshop will begin with a guest speaker from 'MOO and BOOM' ethical clothing in Whitchurch, followed by practical tips on how to refashion old clothes, upcycling fast fashion, creating clothes and accessories from waste/plastic mooandboom.com.

10) Save our seas In e-Turtle School you will learn about the fundamental topics needed by anyone working to save sea turtles. Not only will you learn the basics of sea turtle biology and anatomy, you will also learn about the threats sea turtles face, how we work with the community and what can be done to help oliveridleyproject.org/courses/e-turtle-school

11) Bird and bug boxes In this workshop you will research, design and build a bird, bat, bug or hedgehog box to help provide a cosy home for some of the UK's best loved wildlife. You can either put the finished box within the school grounds or take it home.

12) Sustainable STEM Glyndwr University Ever wondered what cars and planes of the future may look like?

Then this is the workshop for you. Working with the best engineers at Glyndwr University, Wrexham you will get to see first-hand the projects they are working on as well as have a go in their flight simulator in the Aeronautical Department! glyndwr.ac.uk/. *Please note – there may be a small charge to cover transport costs.

13) The science behind energy If the UK is to reach carbon neutral by 2050 then harnessing the power of renewable energy is a key component of this. In this workshop the Science Department will let you loose on some hair-raising experiments that will give you a buzz! You will also visit a number of local renewable energy sites helping to power business and farms around Whitchurch.

14) Natural History Museum A day at the Natural History Museum, London. A chance to explore the museum and discover how humans have transformed the natural world. Through over 40 objects chosen by Scientists, learn about the consequences of actions and hear about some of the solutions that could help mend our broken planet www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/our-broken-planet.html *Please note - there may be a charge to cover transport cost. You will need to be at Whitchurch Station early in the morning and able to be picked up in the evening on your return.

15) Get water wise!

Ever wondered what happens when you flush the toilet...?

Probably not! However, this workshop gives you an insight into how water is treated and how we can save water in the future. A chance to help design more water wise toilets for our school.

16) Grow your own The vegetable patch by the Science rooms is looking a little unloved. If you want to get you hands dirty in restoring this area into a productive vegetable garden, then this is the workshop for you. You can even become a member of the SJT Gardening Club and harvest your own vegetables to take away and cook!

17) A home for Monty As part of this workshop, you will visit Staffordshire University and spend the day using found, recyclable materials to build a habitat for a lost mythical creature called a Snook named Monty.

The session will require the use of teamwork, collaboration, problem solving and creativity. Discussion will draw out contemporary issues such as outdoor learning, the natural world and recycling. There will also be a careers discussion included. *Please note - there may be a charge to cover transport cost.

18) Local adventure Fancy going for a stroll around the local countryside Duke of Edinburgh style? Followed by an overnight camp in the school grounds? Then this is the workshop for you. Tents and rucksacks will be provided; however you will need to bring a packed lunch, an evening meal, along with suitable walking shoes and a waterproof coat. Training will be given before you go, and a teacher will be with you during the walk so you don’t get lost! You need to be in pairs to share tents so make sure you have a buddy who doesn’t have smelly feet! *Year 9 DofE students - please do not pick this activity.

19) Eco-journalist Ever fancied becoming a roving reporter? Well, here’s your chance.

You will be part of a busy team of journalists capturing the days events. Interviewing, photographing and helping to create SJT’s first Eco-newspaper report sent out to parents and carers.

20) What's the drama about the environment anyway?!

Become immersed in drama. Professional actors will lead the workshop to help put your environmental concerns and solutions into motion.

21) Willow weaving Do you want to create a quiet haven within the school grounds?

What could be more rewarding than helping to design and plant SJT’s very own living willow structure. You'll end up with a feature that is full of interest, supports wildlife and encourages people to engage with nature. Since the willow grows so fast (it can grow up to 2m a year) you don’t have to wait long to see the results. You will also be in charge of giving it a haircut now and again too!

22) Centre for Alternative Technology The Centre for Alternative Technology is an eco-centre in Powys, dedicated to demonstrating and teaching sustainable development. CAT, no longer concentrates its efforts exclusively on alternative technology, but provides information on all aspects of sustainable living. Included in the visit is an interactive workshop on wind power or sustainable living - cat.org.uk/ *Please note - there may be a charge to cover transport costs. The centre is 2 hours away so you'll return to school around 5pm.

23) The secrets of waste This workshop is run by Shropshire Wildlife Trust, Shrewsbury. It offers a unique opportunity to visit the TGG landfill site and recycling facility at Wood Lane. Discover the fascinating story of what happens to our rubbish and compare this with how nature recycles. You could then become the driving force to improve recycling at SJT - www.shropshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/schoolsessions.

24) Living walls An opportunity to work with local eco-company, Innerspace Cheshire, to create a unique living moss wall which enhances the working environment in the HUB area. The CEO of the business will explain how he built up his sustainably focused company and why its eco-credentials are important to the ethos of the business.

25) Mini Olympics Spend the morning with the PE Department putting together an SJT mini Olympic games. Then work with local primary school children to coach them in the games and see who's team lifts the trophy! A great workshop if you want to get into sports coaching, working with young people or just staying fit.

How to choose your workshop?

Now you have read about all the exciting workshops and trips available on the day you will need to choose your top 3 using this link – https://forms.office.com/r/7SwUp4CcbF. It will be on a first come first served basis so it may be that popular workshops will get booked up quickly. The deadline for completing your choices is MONDAY 7TH MARCH. Selection for workshops will also be decided on your general behaviour and attitude to learning.

Still have questions? lucy.jennings@sjt.mmat.co.uk 01948 660600

sirjohntalbots.co.uk