Teachers aiming to unlock mysteries of ‘green energy’

Bydales School, in Redcar, has been involved in the Exploring Renewables project since the scheme began last year.

As a specialist technology college, teachers from the science, mathematics and design departments are sharing their expertise to help schools across the North- East get to grips with renewable energy.

Free curriculum-based teaching materials have been perfected, with support from teachers at the school.

A solar thermal trolley, designed by the centre for design research at Northumbria University, aims to offer children a genuine hands-on learning experience.

Teachers at the Macmillan Academy, in Middlesbrough, have also been involved in the project, providing advice on how to create pupil-friendly activities and lessons featuring renewable energy.

Tony Hobbs, headteacher at Bydales School, said: "Explore Renewables is a project which we have been keen to be involved with.

"As a specialist technology school, we take a particular interest in renewable energy. Explore Renewables is a great way of encouraging all middle and secondary school pupils to explore maths, science, technology and geography in a hands-on way."

Funded by One North-East, participating schools will have access to lessons and activities, which aim to unlock the mysteries of renewable energy and help them to gain practical experience across a range of subject areas.

Bydales School was one of the first schools in the country to generate power using a hydrogen fuel cell through a project launched last month. Their Sustainable School Project has seen pupils and teachers work on various projects to help the school become more eco-friendly, including the installation of wind turbine and solar technologies.

Bydales School will be sharing its experiences of using renewable energy in the classroom at the launch of Explore Renewables on April 29, at the Centre for Life, in Newcastle.

For more information, visit explorerenewables.co.uk