Eco-Schools
Eco-Schools is an international organisation designed to encourage whole-school action for the environment. Its “Green Flag” initiative is an environmental management tool, learning resource and recognised award scheme. The scheme has been very successful in primary schools, but it has proven more difficult to engage secondary school pupils.
Eco-Schools approached Maximillion as the organisation was looking to increase interest in secondary schools by providing an environmentally themed activity which would cover a wide range of topics and create a talking point.
Maximillion’s “Eden” activity fitted the bill perfectly, and supported the Eco-Schools’ conference to launch their new approach to secondary schools.
Event Detail
- Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow
- Format: Eden was run as an afternoon activity to reinforce the conference messages
- Guests: 120 secondary school teachers and pupils
Objectives
- Improve awareness of topical environmental and social themes
- Generate excitement and interest in the Eco-Schools initiative
- Appeal to pupils and teachers alike
Outline
The school delegates were organised into groups of 6 or 7 and were tasked to “travel around the world” taking part in environmental and social challenges to win “resources”. Groups used their resources to build sustainable communities consisting of water, land and people components. Groups had to compete, but also collaborate to ensure carbon emissions were controlled.
Eden was redesigned to suit the younger audience and the Eco-Schools initiative. The event was also developed to inspire and motivate individual and organisational change.
Outcome
Since the event, Eco-Schools has sent out promotional information about Eden to all Scottish local authorities, encouraging them to use the activity in support of and to complement the Eco-Schools’ scheme.
Feedback
“The highlight of their day was the Eden game. They couldn’t believe they had been playing it for two hours and they found it very good fun but also quite challenging in parts and relevant to their lives and some of the issues that had been discussed earlier in the day.”
High School of Glasgow