Workshop
This is a semi-structured workshop that consists of 3 parts. We use objects and planned questions about the topics to start a conversation with the children. The questions are not mandatory, they are suggestions to lead the conversation. Other relevant questions might emerge depending on the children’s knowledge, interests and concerns.
Overview
1. Let's walk
2. Around the world
3. Future Food
Part 1. Let's walk.
Stage one is an introduction to air pollution and energy through transport. Here we discuss which type of transport they use to go to school or their parents to go to work. What is the impact of this on the planet Earth and how does that affect all.
Energy is an obvious theme that can come up in relation to transport and it is a great point for the introduction of renewable energy.
After everyone has shared their knowledge and opinions, and everyone is in tune with the topic, the activity can start.
It is a set of cards, a timeline of different transport inventions which they have to put into chronological order. The last card is blank and is set in 10 years’ time. Ask them to draw a type of transport they think we will be using in 2028.
They will have to use their knowledge of the past, present and future circumstances. Help your students by suggesting they use the timeline to help them to be more realistic with their designs. They will use their artistic skills to envisage the future.
Discussion
How would the world look like when they will join society as adults?
Part 2. Around the world
In the second stage of the discussion, we focus on biodiversity loss. The children get to dress up in animal masks, and identification cards are used to understand the importance of these animals within their ecosystem.
By transforming themselves into endangered species we start an exploration of the reasons behind the loss of their habitats.
This is the children’s favourite part but also the most enlightening for them. Most children are animal lovers and in this activity, they connect to the animals on a more emotional level as they get a deeper understanding of the issues facing today’s wildlife.
As connections start to build up, the interconnectedness of dependencies that animals and habitats have start to make sense. They start to relate issues from the first activity with the ones we are discussing. This is normally the longest activity as you will cover so much information and the children are allowed to explore different ideas and make connections.
Discussion
How do our consumption patterns have an impact miles away from us? Have you ever thought about it?
Part 3. Future Food
Part 3 is very exciting for the children as they get to explore something they may have never considered before: insects as food! In this part, they explore new possibilities for food of the future that they might not have come across yet. Real cooked insects and fake plastic insects are presented on the table to start the conversation going.
The majority of them will give it a go and eat the insects. This is an experience they won’t forget. We can hear all sorts of ‘Aaah’, ‘ooh’, ‘euuu’, ‘mmhh’ and opinions at this point.
Discussion
After the “snack” another set of cards with questions, statements and images are placed on the table. This brings up a conversation about the reasons behind having insects as the future food.
