Learning is key to children’s future
Protecting Scotland’s Seas roadshow is lapped up by schools and youth groups
THE MARINE Conservation Society is to bring ocean education to thousands of children across Scotland.
Running until September next year, the Protecting Scotland’s Seas education roadshow is a marine-themed experience with a selection of options for schools and youth groups to engage with both the marine and outdoor environment.
The programme has funding from Crown Estate Scotland, The Britford Bridge Trust and Scottish Fishermen’s Trust.
There will be online sessions, hands-on workshops, school assemblies and immersive outdoor experiences, and a range of ways for schools and youth groups to get involved.
The roadshow is intended to reach 6,000 children in 50 schools and youth groups across Scotland.
During this important year for the UK and Scotland the educational roadshow will help young voices be heard on issues around climate change and environmental action.
The workshop will cover topics including climate science, blue carbon and ocean acidification, and will offer a chance to get to know some of the marine creatures which call Scotland their home.
The Marine Conservation Society hopes to stimulate youth-led action in citizen science programmes such as the Great British Beach
Clean and the Big Seaweed Search, to gather vital data on the health of the ocean and help build on the charity’s work in changing policy to protect the ocean.
Schools will receive support to further their environmental learning skills and visit Scotland’s coast for outdoor ocean learning.
Kirsty Crawford, Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager for Scotland at the
Marine Conservation Society, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to speak directly to the young people in Scotland about our ocean and the wider issues around climate change.
“We hope the practical experiments, trips to the beach and interactive workshops will inspire children to think more about our Scottish seas and what we can do to protect them.
“No matter where we live, either beside the sea or far from it, we can all play our part in protecting our ocean for the future.”
Campbell Gerrard, Senior Policy Manager at Crown Estate Scotland said: “As an organisation with responsibility for managing much of Scotland’s coasts and seas, we are keen to support young people to experience, learn about and look after the marine environment, instilling values that can be carried into later life.
With Scotland hosting COP26, there is no better time to launch the programme and start engaging with and inspiring young people across the country.”