Clean Air Superheroes, pollution-zapping ray guns and musical instruments that clean the air as you play them were among a range of fun ideas from young people who enjoyed a day of workshops on how to protect the planet.
The Schools Sustainability Showcase is organised by environmental charity PECT (Peterborough Environment City Trust) and this year featured hands-on workshops from sponsors and partners, including South Cambridgeshire District Council.
Held at the state-of-the-art Living Lab on Anglia Ruskin University’s Peterborough campus, the annual event brings together schools participating in PECT’s Climate Education programme to learn, share, and showcase their progress in tackling climate and environmental challenges.
This year, 100 children and staff from 11 schools, plus guests, attended the event.
Four interactive workshops for primary school children were delivered by District Council staff on key air quality topics including sources of pollution, their impacts on health, and practical actions to improve air quality in communities.
Pupils enjoyed hands-on science experiments, a fun clean air quiz, and a creative session designing their own ‘Clean Air Superheroes’ - showcasing imaginative ways to fight pollution. One experiment used smoke in a jar to visually demonstrate what air pollution looks like.
Councillor Natalie Warren Green, Lead Cabinet Member for Environment at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “We’re proud to support PECT’s vital work in educating the next generation about climate action. Events like the Schools Sustainability Showcase are an inspiring example of how councils, charities, and schools can collaborate to make a lasting difference for the environment. It was great to learn about the unrestricted ideas the children had including post boxes that suck in pollution on the street, ray guns that destroy pollution and a piano whose musical tones breaks down pollution! Their ideas and curiosity give us real hope for a cleaner, greener future.”
PECT’s Schools Sustainability Showcase offers a unique platform for young ‘eco-experts’ to demonstrate their commitment to environmental action, with opportunities to engage with sponsors and guests and compete for the coveted ECO Factor and Special Awards.
Heidi Latronico-Ferris, Environmental Education Lead for PECT, said: "The schools at this year’s Showcase raised the bar and really impressed our sponsors, partners and guests. Pupils and staff have been doing amazing work to protect and improve the environment as part of their climate action plans, and it was a privilege to celebrate their achievements. Everybody went away feeling inspired.”
Taking part in the workshop events were:
- Huntingdonshire - Stukeley Meadows Primary
- South Cambridgeshire - Bar Hill Primary, Dry Drayton Church of England Primary
- Peterborough - City of Peterborough Academy, Heltwaite Primary, Highlees Primary, Northborough Primary, St Augustine’s Church of England Juniors, Beeches Primary, Thomas Deacon Juniors, Thomas Deacon Academy
The workshop builds on an existing commitment by the District Council to support sustainability education for young people. The Council has funded places for 10 local South Cambridgeshire schools to access PECT’s Climate Education programme over the course of a year and initiatives already underway include:
- Bar Hill Primary School – Launching a composting scheme to tackle food waste, supported by awareness campaigns through their school newsletter.
- Great and Little Shelford Primary School – Designing and implementing a school grounds development plan, including new garden and growing areas.
- Fulbourn Primary School – Planning a school pond, launching a second-hand uniform shop, and promoting green careers among pupils.
For details about PECT and their Climate Education programme, visit the weblink.
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