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Digital Explorer, a local social enterprise, is offering Hackney schools free workshops and assemblies to encourage young people to learn more about our oceans.
The activities will coincide with World Oceans Day on 8 June and will give primary and secondary school pupils the opportunity to learn how real scientific research is conducted in the Arctic Ocean.
The activities are based on three scientific expeditions to the Arctic in the period 2009-11, where scientists and explorers camped on sea ice at temperatures as low as -48C, collecting data on changes to the environment.
Pupils will replicate the scientists’ work and explore what life was like camping on Arctic ice, bringing current scientific research to the classroom and raising awareness of ocean conservation issues.
Arctic explorer and former teacher Jamie Buchanan-Dunlop will lead the sessions, sharing expedition videos and photos and bringing polar kit for pupils to try on.
He said: “The oceans cover 72% of our planet but they’re massively under-represented in the national curriculum. So what we’re doing is to try and change that and help young people understand the oceans and how they support us.
“I’ll be bringing in all my full Arctic kit and we’ll get some of the pupils to dress up. There are about 28 different items of clothing that you need to stay warm at -40. So it takes about 20 minutes to get dressed in the morning!”
The Digital Explorer oceans education programme builds on topics covered by the national curriculum by using case studies, as well as incorporating the narrative of the scientists’ and explorers’ experiences.
“I hope to excite young people to learn more about the oceans,” Jamie added.
“We’ve been based in Hackney and Tower Hamlets for about four years, and while we have done work around the country, we really wanted to bring the programme here.
“Hopefully it will inspire young people and make them excited about learning about environments like the Arctic.”
The sessions run from Wednesday 6 – Tuesday 12 June. To make a booking for your school, contact Digital Explorer on 0203 095 9749 or email info@digitalexplorer.co.uk.
For further information on the programme, and to download teaching resources, visit: http://oceans.digitalexplorer.com/events/WOD
