TEACH EARTH & DISCOVER EARTH 2019

TEACH EARTH &
DISCOVER EARTH
2019 L E T T H E E A R T H B E Y O U R C L A S S R O O M

We would like to thank Earthwatch alumni
teachers for providing content and photographer
John Hunt for providing images.
256 Mayfield House, Oxford, OX2 7DE
education@earthwatch.org.uk
www.earthwatch.org.uk
01865 318808 Registered charity no. 1094467

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
A YEAR OF MUDDY ADVENTURES
Welcome to our latest education newsletter, celebrating a really
exciting year of outdoor training and activities for teachers and
educators.
This year, we launched our new website to articulate how we are
empowering people to save the planet, whilst engaging them in critical
environmental issues, such as the declining health of our freshwater,
the impacts of climate change, and the loss of wildlife.
Fundamental to this is helping the next generation understand these
challenges by providing opportunities to engage in real scientific
research and have memorable learning experiences outdoors. A huge
thank you to all who participated through immersing yourself on a
Teach Earth weekend or getting hands-on with citizen science in your
school with Discover Earth. This year, we were delighted to train
teachers and students from the Scottish countryside to the East End of
London.
Features
2019 ROUND UP
SUSTAINABILITY
WILDLIFE & HABITATS
FRESHWATER
Throughout the year, we have engaged with 477 educators and nearly
3000 young people. We have involved hundreds of people with our
citizen science projects, including our new community wildlife project,
Naturehood. This project aims to encourage action from individuals,
schools and communities to monitor and help local wildlife in gardens,
school grounds and public green spaces.
Read on as we share inspiring stories from educators, resources,
lesson plans and links to help you continue your journey with us.
TELL A FRIEND
WHAT NEXT FOR 2020?
E D U C A T I O N N E W S L E T T E R
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2019 ROUND-UP
WHAT WERE THE BEST BITS?
“Through the knowledge of both our instruction and two visiting
scientists I feel empowered and excited about what I can
implement in both my school and home environment. I am
pleased to have met like-minded people, with knowledge greater
than mine.”
Shelli Williams, TE Team 1
“I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting like-minded people; I feel
comforted by the sense of community and inspired by the citizen
science projects. I'm struggling to express what this weekend
has meant to me but it has been significant personally.”
Penelope Lea, TE Team 3
“Thank you for connecting me to nature in ways that can be
participated in by all (i.e., children and staff). What a weekend -
thank you! Can't wait to come back.”
Lauren Grantham, TE Team 1
“It's definitely one of the best CPD programmes. The team was
absolutely fabulous and participants (as well as Earthwatch) so
inspiring. The best aspect of this Teach Earth weekend is making
connections with others and their courses. I love the latest
projects - Naturehood and Plastic Rivers.”
Kasia Kozysa, TE Team 5
WHO HAVE WE BEEN WORKING WITH?
477
educators
85
schools
2923 Young
people
E D U C A T I O N N E W S L E T T E R
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2019 ROUND-UP
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO SINCE?
“I have attached photographs of our outdoor art,
photographs of a ‘senses’ walk, hunting for items in
our woodland and our mud area in our yard that we
love ! Dosbarth Dewi Sant love getting outdoors and
are always keen to explore our woodland. The
Reception children’s independence, confidence and
understanding of safety has really made me smile!”
Danielle Self, Discover Earth
“I have just been given the "go-ahead" from my
Headtacher to integrate climate change education in
our school's curriculum. We introduced SDGs to the
children and teachers before the half term. I will
support the year groups for the rest of the year. We
are linking SDGs with our Rights Respecting School
Award that we are hopeful to achieve this year.”
Kasia Kozysa, Teach Earth
“I have discussed many aspects with the children
and also prompt the parents of my forest school. We
have talked about the SDG - due to the forest school
being child lead, it is a leading process - though I am
conscious of the impact it is having on them and they
are very aware of the impact of what they do and how
it affects wildlife.”
Dawn Waterhouse, Teach Earth
E D U C A T I O N N E W S L E T T E R
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WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
WHY DO WE NEED SDG'S?
Loss of habitats in the UK and round the world are
increasingly threatening our global biodiversity. Currently,
only 1% of the world’s freshwater is available for use, with
over two-thirds of the world’s population living in regions with
extreme water scarcity. Industrialisation, deforestation,
agriculture and fossil fuel use have resulted in emissions
increasing exponentially since the industrial revolution,
reaching levels higher than they have been for 3 million years.
Connection to nature is a critical aspect of conservation, as it
symbolises relationships, emotions and attitudes to the
environment . In the UK, many children spend as little as 16
minutes in nature a day, with research suggesting that at
least 75% of UK children spend less time outdoors than
prisoners . Increasingly, children are spending more time
using technology and less time outdoors – this means that an
entire generation is rapidly disconnecting from nature and
being deprived the opportunity to explore and learn outdoors.
YOUR FEEDBACK
The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to
achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They
address the global challenges we face, including those
related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental
degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice.
The SDGs interconnect and in order to leave no one behind, it
is important that we achieve each goal and target by 2030.
71%
of teachers reported that prior to Teach Earth, they never taught about the
Sustainable Development Goals.
52%
of teachers reported that prior to Teach Earth, they had low confidence in their
ability to teach about the SDG's (5 or below)
E D U C A T I O N N E W S L E T T E R
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TEACH THE FUTURE
WHAT IS IT?
WE NEEDEDUCATIONAL REFORM
to teach young people about the urgency, severity and
scientific basis of the climate emergency and ecological
crisis.
Teach the Future is a youth-led campaign to urgently
repurpose the entire education system around the
climate emergency and ecological crisis. It’s not good
enough that sustainability is restricted to a few subjects
and that most of our teachers and lecturers don’t know
enough about it. Our education system must teach the
truth and prepare us for the future, because we are the
future. We want a review, a new Act of Parliament,
substantial new funding and net-zero
buildings. Education is a devolved matter, so we are
starting with England, but will develop branches of this
campaign for the devolved nations soon.
This campaign is led by students.
YOUR FEEDBACK
Find out more at:
www.teachthefuture.uk
86%
of teachers reported an increase in confidence in teaching the SDGs after
attending Teach Earth training.
84%
of teachers surveyed reported an increase in their knowledge of the SDGs after
attending Teach Earth training.
E D U C A T I O N N E W S L E T T E R
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WILDLIFE & HABITATS
STATE OF NATURE
Earthwatch was one of more than 70 wildlife organisations who
partnered to produce the State of Nature 2019 report. For the
first time the partnership was also joined by government
agencies, to present the clearest picture to date of the status of
our species across land and sea.
Our Naturehood project is profiled in the report, as an example of
how organisations are engaging people with garden wildlife.
Going beyond isolated individual actions, the project empowers
people to work together to create Naturehoods – networks of
wildlife-rich space that have a significant impact on biodiversity.
The State of Nature Report highlights that we are still a long way
from leaving our environment in a better state than we found it,
while the climate and biodiversity crises make painfully clear
that this is desperately needed. Amidst this serious message, the
report also provides inspiration and hope. Thanks to the
incredible work and determination of conservation charities and
their army of volunteers, there are signs of recovery in some
areas.
YOUR FEEDBACK
“As individuals we can all take positive action for nature, and of
course, we will make the biggest difference by working
together, whether that be communities uniting to transform
neighbourhoods into Naturehoods, or farmers coming together
to improve water quality.”
37%
of teachers taught outside once a fortnight or less prior to Teach Earth.
78%
of teachers used citizen science in learning less than once a month prior to
Teach Earth.
E D U C A T I O N N E W S L E T T E R
6

NATUREHOOD
TAKING PART
Working together to support the wildlife on your doorstep
- Spot a species
- Make nature-friendly changes to your green space
- Take simple wildlife surveys across the year
Want to get involved?
1. Survey your school grounds, what wildlife can you find?
2. Select one (or more) of our 5 Naturehood species to take action
for in your school grounds.
3. Select one of our suggested Naturespace actions such as log
piles, wild flowers or wildlife passageways.
4. Record your action online using our interactive maps.
5. Share with us how you are making homes for wildlife!
Naturehood in your school
You can find a full teachers pack of resources on our Earthwatch
website at www.earthwatch.org.uk/education
And don't forget, we can come and visit your school to run a
Discover Earth Hub Day or Roadshow to get your colleagues or
students outside the classroom and getting hands on with the
wildlife local to you.
For lots of wonderful resources, online quizzes and ideas for
how to take action for wildlife, visit the Naturehood website.
www.naturehood.uk
E D U C A T I O N N E W S L E T T E R
7

FRESHWATER
I N A C T I O N
THAMES WATER BLITZ
Around the world, freshwater resources are in crisis.
Water is all around us, but just 2.5% of the world’s water is fresh
water. And less than 1% of that water is available for people to use.
A WaterBlitz is a race against the clock where volunteers test the
health of waterbodies in their local area.
Held over four days, hundreds of water samples are collected during a
WaterBlitz. Volunteers test water in a designated catchment area and
discover useful information for scientists as well as having a great
time outdoors.
The next Thames Waterblitz is April 2020!
If you'd like us to come out to your school to run activities on the day
get in touch with the team!
RESOURCES
Here are a few lesson plans and resources to assist you in
engaging your students in the plastics challenge.
Surfers Against Sewage: Plastic Free Schools
Kids Against Plastic
Practical Action; Plastics Challenge
WWF: Oceans & Plastics
Encounter Edu: Ocean Plastics
Marine Conservation Society: Plastics Challenge
LOOKING FOR A DAY TO SHOWCASE YOUR
WORK?
World Water Day: 22nd March
Earth Day: April 22nd
Outdoor Classroom Day: 21st May
World Environment Day: 5th June
World Oceans Day: 8th June
E D U C A T I O N N E W S L E T T E R
8

PLASTIC RIVERS
FROM SOURCE TO SEA
The complexity, scale and urgency of the plastics
challenge means it's something we must tackle together.
The issue of plastic in the oceans has attracted a lot of attention
in recent years. But did you know that the vast majority of the
ocean’s plastic in our oceans comes from the rubbish in rivers?
We urgently need to confront this problem, and stop plastics
from getting into our rivers. By doing this, we can safeguard
freshwater ecosystems, and our oceans and coasts too –
protecting human health and wildlife for the future.
Our Plastic Rivers project offers practical, evidence-based steps
to tackle the plastic pollution on our doorsteps, so that everyone
can be part of the solution.
What can I do?
As consumers, we all have a part to play in reducing the amount of
plastic that ends up in our rivers. To have the greatest impact, we
should be using less plastic by choosing alternatives where possible, or
by reusing the plastic items we already have.
Need some inspiration?
Our guide to the top ten plastic pollutants has some great ideas for
reducing how much plastic you use.
Download the guide here:
www.earthwatch.org.uk/get-involved/plastic-rivers
E D U C A T I O N N E W S L E T T E R
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TELL A FRIEND
WANT TO GET YOUR FRIENDS
AND COLLEAGUES INVOLVED?
We are now taking registrations of interest for the next
season of Discover Earth Hub Days and Roadshows.
If you think a friend or colleague would be interested in
attending, get them booked in for 2020!
TEACH EARTH
DATES FOR 2020
Booking will open January 2020!
Oxfordshire
May 29th -31st
June 12th -14th
June 26th -28th (private)
More information about our Teach Earth programme
and locations can be found on our website.
Dates are subject to change.
DISCOVER EARTH
DATES FOR 2020
Don't forget, the Education Team can come out to your
school to run a whole day of outdoor activities with your
students - it's free!
Alternatively, work with us to bring together a group of
teachers from your local area to share skills,
knowledge and new ideas for taking the classroom
outdoors with a Hub Day.
Discover Earth school visits are booked upon request,
just get in touch with the Education Team to register
your interest.
SIGN UP NOW AT: EARTHWATCH.ORG.UK/GET-INVOLVED/EDUCATION-AND-SCHOOLS
E D U C A T I O N N E W S L E T T E R
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Climate change is one of the most
prevalent issues of the human age,
and refers to the changes to the
earths climate systems as a result
of increased greenhouses gas
emissions. Industrialisation,
deforestation, agriculture and
fossil fuel use have resulted in
emissions increasing
exponentially since the industrial
revolution, reaching levels higher
than they have been for 3 million
years. The threats of climate
change disrupt life on a global and
unprecedented scale,
and require dramatic and urgent
action to prevent.
The mental and physical health
implications of climate change are
becoming increasingly recognised
with the increased awareness of
climate issues. The American
Psychological Association
suggests that fostering optimistic
opinions and empowering people
to act for the climate on an
achievable scale will build
resilience and belief in one’s
ability to make positive change.
& ABOUT
OUT
WITH
WHAT NEXT FOR 2020
EARTHWATCH
Earthwatch Events
Earthwatch hosts a
number of events
throughout the year,
including environmental
debates, comedy
evenings, film festivals
and much more. The full
programme of events for
2020 will be announced in
the new year.
2020 will see us continue to grow
our Teach Earth and Discover
Earth programmes to address
wildlife and habitat loss,
freshwater pollution,
sustainability and will have a
particular focus on
communicating climate change.
We will be working with both
formal and informal educators
whilst expanding our offering into
secondary schools and colleges.
We would like to say a big THANK
YOU to everyone for supporting
and engaging our programmes
and community through 2019!
We’re very excited for new things
in the coming year and look
forward to working together to
continue to take the classroom
outdoors and inspire action for a
sustainable future.
Events you'll find us
at...
8-11 January 2020
ASE Conference
16-18th April 2020
Geography Association
Conference
The Education Team
To find out more about
our events and to sign up
for tickets visit:
E D U C A T I O N N E W S L E T T E R
Chloe
Mollie
EARTHWATCH.ORG.UK
1 1

Creating Knowledge. Inspiring Action.
S O C I A L M E D I A
e a r t h w a t c h e u r o p e
E a r t h w a t c h E u r o p e
@ E a r t h w a t c h _ E u r
C O N T A C T U S
256 Mayfield House, Oxford, OX2 7DE
education@earthwatch.org.uk
www.earthwatch.org.uk/education