Thousands of children to join Eden Project live lessons for Protecting Our Planet Day
On 12 November, the Eden Project will host Protecting Our Planet Day 2024 (POP24), streaming live lessons from the heart of the rainforest to schools across the UK. This event, now an annual fixture, brings thousands of young people together to learn about climate action, nature conservation, and the importance of protecting the planet.
Virtual rainforest adventures for young learners
Last year, 180,000 children joined POP24’s interactive sessions, engaging with experts from around the world. This year, educators and schools can once again participate for free. Through live streaming, pupils will journey with researchers aboard the RSS Sir David Attenborough in Antarctica, join the European Space Agency’s mission control, and tour the Eden Project’s own Rainforest Biome.
The rainforest virtual field trip, designed for primary pupils, will cover various habitats within the Biome. From mangroves and coffee plants to bamboo, students will explore tropical rainforests’ role in combatting climate change, despite covering only 2-3% of the Earth’s surface.
Hands-on conservation Eden Project lessons
The Eden Project team, led by education expert Robbie Kirkman, will highlight the biodiversity found in tropical rainforests and discuss the alarming rate of deforestation. As Kirkman explains, “Connecting tens of thousands of children with our Rainforest Biome lets us spotlight these biodiverse ecosystems. An area the size of our Rainforest Biome is lost every 11 seconds to deforestation, so our live lesson will focus on actions everyone can take to protect these vital habitats.”
Wildflowers and biodiversity for secondary students
Secondary school students will also benefit from the Eden Project’s National Wildflower Centre session. Inside the geothermally-heated Growing Point plant nursery, pupils will learn about the role of wildflowers in protecting biodiversity. With the UK having lost 97% of its wildflower meadows since the 1930s, this session encourages young people to create their own wildflower meadows, either at home or in school.
A collaboration for the planet
POP24 is a joint initiative involving the UK Space Education Office at STEM Learning, the European Space Agency, and the Eden Project. Through these lessons, students will not only gain knowledge but also practical steps to make an impact on their environment.
To learn more about Protecting Our Planet Day and register for the Eden Project’s live lessons, visit stem.org.uk.
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