Viridor have teamed up with EDT (The Engineering Development Trust) to sponsor and give all Glasgow primary schools the chance to get involved in COP26.
As Glasgow prepares to welcome world leaders in November, Glasgow primary school pupils in P5-P7 were challenged to design a Climate Superhero and a comic-strip showcasing how their powers will help keep Glasgow a safe, clean, and sustainable place to live. All entrants were awarded an Industrial Cadets Certificate at Challenger level, and a selection of entries will be published in a book celebrating the competition. Industrial Cadets, whose patron is HRH the Prince of Wales, is a widely recognised skills-based accreditation framework.
The competition tested our young heroes’ mettle as they were asked to think about the climate emergency, and how they can be the difference. Moving forward, this next generation of intrepid youngsters will take the skills they have gained and continue to use their voice to fight for a greener Glasgow.
62 primary schools –an impressive 41% of all in Glasgow –and 162 teachers have assembled as environmental avengers, and the stage was set for a spectacular showdown against climate change worthy of a blockbuster movie at the virtual COP26 Superhero Showcase event. The virtual event on 20th October was a fun-filled celebration of the work students have completed and a showcase of their spectacular superheroes and comic strips, where 10 comics were selected as stand out superheroes in the competition.
Viridor, one of the UK's leading recycling, resource, and waste management companies, aims to take what British homes and businesses throw away and transform it into essential quality materials, resources and energy for customers across the UK and globally. Last year, Viridor supported the Industrial Cadet Bronze project for schools in Glasgow, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, North Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire. Once more teaming up with EDT, the UK’s largest STEM educational charity, Viridor will continue to sponsor 45 schools from these regions for 2021-2022.
Karen MacCormack, Community Benefits Officer at Viridor said:
“Viridor GRREC is delighted to team up with the Engineering Development Trust (EDT) Scotland to inspire primary school students in Glasgow through the COP26 Climate Superhero’s Challenge. The Superhero programme challenges young people to put their imagination to the test by thinking up ways to help the environment whilst learning about sustainability and having fun at the same time.Viridor is always looking for new avenues to switch on minds and the enthusiasm for learning was apparent here with the impressive number of schools taking part. The standard of entries of comic strip superheroes on a mission to help Glasgow was incredible – I wish we could showcase them all!"
Steven Brown, Education and Events Lead for EDT said:
“We are delighted to offer this opportunity to primary pupils across Glasgow, and to provide a COP26 learning experience in the heart of the host city. COP26 is more than just a 2 week conference, and we hope that the students are inspired to continue on a journey of becoming changemakers that protect our planet and help us all to live more sustainably.
The entries from all schools have been fantastic and are evidence of how important climate change issues are to them as the next generation.”
June Hegarty, teacher at St Aloysius’ College (Junior School) said: "Children were amazed at the recycling work ongoing in Polmadie -and thoroughly enjoyed the facts which they learned through the quizzes. The creativity in completing their learning through a comic creation was another worthwhile activity which derived great enjoyment in the planning, discussion and illustrating of this written piece of work. They also enjoyed that their writing had a purpose which could be communicated clearly across all generations."
ENDS
For more information on Industrial Cadets and the Engineering Development Trust, contact Steven Brown: s.brown@etrust.org.uk 01707 906 547
Notes for Editors
About EDT
EDT (Engineering Development Trust), offer young people active learning experiences in STEM related careers, giving them the opportunity to gain knowledge and exposure that will help them make decisions about their future. We are a nationwide educational charity engaging young people through focused experience days, projects and placements which continue to take place virtually.
www.etrust.org.uk
EDT’s Vision
EDT's vision is to create a society where young people across the UK have equal access to engage with STEM activities and achieve their potential in STEM careers and opportunities for further study.