Industry to co-deliver Climate Smarter project in Scottish Schools

Confor and the Scottish Forestry Trust have been invited to become a contributing partner to the Young Engineers and Science Clubs Programme, run by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI).

Over the next three academic years, we will support the delivery of a Climate Smarter project in schools, and as an event partner at the SDCI’s Highland celebration of engineering.

Forestry and Timber play a key role in the UK’s journey towards net zero, yet there is still a need to increase awareness of sustainable forestry and the climate benefits of wood, in particular among younger audiences.

The three-year partnership is a great opportunity for our industry to go beyond ad hoc school engagements, and take advantage of the SDCI’s established relationship with the education sector to SCDI is an independent, not-for-profit membership network representing the private, public and third sectors. We seek to influence government and key stakeholders to deliver social, economic and environmental prosperity for all of Scotland. 2021 is our 90th year. www.scdi.org.uk

co-design and co-deliver STEM activities in Schools across Scotland.

Thomas Wild – Programme Manger at YESC says: “Working with industry partners brings our YESC projects to life and though partnerships like these, we are able to connect young people to the world of work. We are delighted to be partnering with CONFOR and the Scottish Forestry Trust to bring this exciting schools project to new underrepresented audiences. The forestry and timber sector plays such a crucial role in our journey to net zero, which makes this partnership a perfect fit for our sustainability schools challenge.”

More information on www.scdi.org.uk/ yesc @scdiYESC @SCDInews

The Climate Smarter project: teaching children about climate emergency and sustainable buildings

Climate Smarter is an exciting topical STEM/digital skills project for second and third level pupils (Primary 6/7 – Secondary 1/2). This project is designed to enthuse and inspire pupils to think creatively to come up with solutions to the biggest global problems to face them, now, and in their future. The project takes them on a journey of investigation and experimentation to look at how we can tackle the climate emergency.

Experiments and activities can be delivered as one-off sessions in an extracurricular club over several weeks or alongside other lessons as a full class. The programme culminates in the pupils designing and building models of their future eco-school, incorporating all their research into sustainable building materials, energy efficiency, smart controls, energy generation and responsible water use.

As industry partners, Confor and Scottish Forestry will sponsor the training and support for 15 schools in Scotland, and will benefit from a range of opportunities to raise awareness of forestry and timber to school children and their networks: • Creating poject content to embed key messaging and information within the project. Key messaging topics might be around sustainable building materials, biopating schools and local timber industries which could foster site visits, careers events and deeper engagement. • End of academic year project competition, with Confor team invited to join judging panel • Co-creation workshops to take place in years 2 & 3 to enhance and expand forestry content

In preparation for the academic year 2021/22, Confor and SFT will particpate in the first project content co-creation sessions in early August. The aim is to distribute Climate Smarter activity kits during the month of October.

A participating primary school showing the eco-building models they produced for a Climate smarter project

mass energy or career pathways into the forestry sector. • Launch to coincide with COP-26 season and wider PR campaign designed by SDCI and partners • Resource kits for project provided to 15 schools. Recommendation would be to target the Highlands local authority. • Teacher training CPD session providing another opportunity to engage with schools • Opportunity to provide case studies and careers talks to schools across YESC network • Partnership creation between partici-