19/05/04 - Grant will help get the most from sustainability education

A Cumbrian education centre which is helping to support and develop sustainable development projects in schools has been given a cash boost by the County Council. 

Cumbria Development Education Centre, based in Ambleside, is one of 50 UK centres whose concern is global development and environmental issues. CDEC has supported a number of sustainable development initiatives in schools, including a climate change project and a global sustainability outdoor education scheme.

The County Council has made a grant of £5,000 to the Centre from its Local Agenda 21 Fund. The money will be used to share CDEC’s learning experiences with more schools across the County, as well as other education providers, as part of a one-year ‘Getting the most from sustainability education’ scheme.

Lawson Short, County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for environmental issues, said:

“CDEC has organised a number of innovative projects that have resulted in excellent learning outcomes for the participating schools. These include the Energy Island project at Walney Island and Going Global at Grizedale, which brings a global sustainability focus to outdoor education sessions at Grizedale Forest.

“The money we are providing will help schools which are seeking to introduce sustainability into the curriculum. They will be shown practical and replicable activities that will engage their pupils in a fun and creative way. There will be training events for schools, teachers and education providers.”

Because it is a dissemination project it is expected that schools, educational providers and community groups will be using materials and activities beyond its one-year lifespan.