The climate crisis is the big agenda for young people

Many feel anxious and are unclear how they can contribute to solutions. They’re turning to their teachers to help them navigate this.

Protect Our Future provides science-based learning resources to equip 11–16-year-olds with knowledge and understanding that goes beyond the headlines. By sharing engaging activities, we’re enabling them to develop tools to take the lead in climate conversations, changing their attitudes and behaviours, and shaping minds for the future.

Equipping educators

They are creating bite-sized and curriculum-linked content to support educators to explore these issues in the classroom. Their free digital platform will provide a trusted source of science-based knowledge, inspiration and practical actions to drive positive impact in schools and within communities. And we aren’t doing this in isolation – we’re collaborating with forward-thinking young people, schools, universities, brands and leading charities to Protect our Future together.

Increasing science capital

Their approach aims to empower young people from all backgrounds with science-based skills that will allow them to Protect Our Future and take control of the climate crisis. Inspired by Prof Louise Archer’s Science Capital approach whereby growing awareness of where science is in our lives and understanding will enable everyone to access science.

Through expert resources, materials and short films we make it clear that science is behind every action we take and is intrinsic to solving challenges like climate change.

Protect Our Future are building on their tried and tested STEM Crew education model, developed by the 1851 Trust and used in over 50% of UK secondary schools and 40 countries worldwide.

Lyndsey-Lee Dunwoody is the Director of Education Strategy at the 1851 Trust. Her first-hand experience of witnessing the life-changing benefits that quality education content can have for young people drives her passion for, and shapes her creative approach in, designing cutting-edge education that is accessible by all demonstrating what is possible beyond business-as-usual.

After achieving a master’s degree in education policy at Kings College London, she joined the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to deliver a national education plan that spanned primary, secondary and adult visitor education courses and live sessions. This experience drew on her ability to weave past collections, present science and future challenges into educational garden experiences that launched with the opening of the RHS’ flagship offering, Hilltop: The home of gardening science.

Lyndsey-Lee believes that education is a powerful vehicle for change, which must be made accessible, relevant and purposeful to achieve maximum impact across society. Encapsulated in all her work is a passion for creating access to expertise and amplifying the voice of young people so that every child has an opportunity to fulfil their full potential and not be disadvantaged by life’s challenges. Her focus is on the young person (in school and out) so that they are prepared for life and not just a profession.

Website

www.protectourfuture.org

Social Media Information

linktr.ee/protect_our_future

Resource Mentioned

G.I. Jane

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Mentioned in this episode:

NAPE Al Kingsley Summit Promo

Watch Mark Taylor interview Al Kingsley about 'Creating Digital Strategies for Schools' as part of the Primary Education Summit 2023 - Visions for the Future - presented by National Association for Primary Education (NAPE) https://www.educationonfire.com/creating-digital-strategies-for-schools/