Promoting conservationism and focusing on environmental issues have been the priorities for a local author and East Ayrshire’s learning outdoor support team (LOST)
Greta Yorke has joined forces with the group to create a programme of events and activities to help inspire conservation and environmental awareness among primary school pupils to mark Visit Scotland’s year of coasts and waters.
The project – entitled Turn the Tide – is based around Greta’s book How the Pirates Turned the Tide and follows the story of pirates who, shocked at the litter and waste thrown into the sea, decide to take action.
Seven schools are taking part in the project, which begins with a visit from Greta herself and goes on to activities ranging from map making and model boat building to visits to Ayrshire’s coast and a recycling centre.
The message being delivered is how we can all live sustainably and the project is helping LOST deliver the Learning for Sustainability (LfS) programme which is being followed by all of Scotland’s pupils.
Launching the programme at Kilmarnock’s Hillhead Primary School, Councillor Fiona Campbell, cabinet member for skills and learning at East Ayrshire Council, said: “Learning for sustainability is an approach to life and learning which helps pupils, educators, schools and their wider communities to build a socially-just, sustainable and equitable society.
“We’re delighted to work with Greta, a local author, on the Turn the Tide project.
“It sets a great example of sustainable development education; emphasising links between food, packaging, ocean pollution and nature by combining literacy and outdoor learning activity.
“This provides coherent, valuable and engaging experience for children.
“Part of the project involves visits to the Ayrshire coast and the council’s waste management depot to see recycling in action.
“It reinforces the connection between our actions and the consequences of our behaviour.
“We hope that this fun filled programme will help create responsible future citizens who will be proactive in turning the tide in their own way.”
