Fri. Dec 6th, 2024

Eden Project live lessons for Protecting Our Planet Day

Eden Project

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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By Fergus McCarthy

Fergus McCarthy is a seasoned publishing professional with over three decades of experience in the media industry. In 1993, he co-founded Parents News, a pioneering publication aimed at providing busy parents in Southwest London with essential information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly activities. Under his leadership, Parents News quickly expanded its reach from 60,000 to 192,000 monthly printed copies, establishing additional branches in Kent, South London, Northern Ireland, and Cornwall. In 1997, recognizing the potential of digital media, Fergus helped launch Parents News UK Online, which carried digital editions of the printed publication and offered a broader range of national information. The website's popularity soared, attracting up to 700 daily hits at its peak. Although Parents News transitioned to an online-only platform in 2017, Fergus continues to play a vital role as Publisher and Advertising Manager, focusing on providing value to businesses through effective advertorials.

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