WITH the environment the hot topic of the moment, school pupils across the Highlands and Islands are discovering more about renewable energy sources for themselves with a series of workshops being rolled out across the region.
Around 100 primary schools are taking part in the workshops being run by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) as part of its year-long public information campaign to deepen understanding about the role of renewable energy.
The first workshops got underway this month at Pulteneytown Academy Primary in Wick and Miller Academy and Pennyland Primary Schools in Thurso.
Elaine Hanton, head of renewables at HIE, said: “The purpose of these workshops is to make learning fun while at the same time encouraging youngsters to take seriously things such as energy efficiency and the development of different kinds of renewable energy technologies.
“We tested out the format of the workshops in a number of centres and got very positive feedback, so we are confident the content will really engage and enthuse young people.”
Each workshop includes a series of games about climate change and energy efficiency plus simple science-based experiments. Children also get to make a wind turbine and try out an anemometer so they can measure wind speeds at their schools.
The workshops are being co-ordinated by Community Service Volunteers (CSV) on behalf of HIE.
Elanor Gordon, project co-ordinator for CSV, said of the first workshops: “The children were fully engaged in the range of activities and learnt plenty about the importance of reducing carbon emissions by being energy efficient and changing to renewable sources of energy.
“The feedback from their teachers also showed them to be enthused and empowered to teach pupils further on this topic.”
The workshops will be running across the Highlands and Islands until Christmas.
MEDIA RELEASE issued by Highlands and Islands Enterprise. You too can post your media releases on allmediascotland; for more information, email here.
Contact: Chris Roberts
Phone: 01463 244236
Email: chris.roberts@hient.co.uk
Website: http://www.hie.co.uk
