A sustainability-focused project has launched which teaches young people to think about the climate and its impacts.
The project was designed by staff and students from Sheffield Hallam University, and is delivered as part of the South Yorkshire Childrens University which is funded by both Hallam and the University of Sheffield.
The Children’s University places value on and recognises the extra-curricular work young people do out of school.
The project launched is called ‘Project in a Box. Think Climate’.
This is led by Lee Jowett, Climate Change and Sustainability Fellow, Joelle Halliday, Senior Research Fellow, both in the University’s Institute of Education, and Becky Musonda from the University’s Place and Civic Engagement Team.
Lee Jowett said: “As a university focused on climate action, we have taken a whole-university approach to co-designing a resource which will reach more than 600 school pupils in the first year.
“In a time when climate action is more urgent than ever, schools are seeking support to help the next generation understand and address the impacts of climate change.
“Our educational box supports school staff in achieving this in an empowering and meaningful way, to educate the next generation and is solution focussed which from our research is important.”
The activities include growing green roof tiles, building and racing reusable land yachts and designing a low-carbon pizza.
Ailsa Wilding, Head of Access, Strategic Evaluation & Partnerships at the University of Sheffield, said: “We’re incredibly proud to work in partnership with the South Yorkshire Children’s University to help children and families across the region enhance their learning and development from a young age”
“The Project in a Box: Think Climate is very timely. It’s a fantastic and fun way to engage young people in how climate change affects all of us.
“The project is just the latest in a series of fantastic Children’s University programmes that are helping to inspire and empower young people from all backgrounds to reach their full potential.”
The initiative matches Hallam’s own Climate Action strategy, which focuses on making a positive contribution to tackling the climate emergency.
The Department for Education has launched its own strategy, and schools are encouraged to also have their own climate action plans by the end of 2025.
