This event targeted upper key stage two pupils and able and gifted key stage three and four students. It provided a great opportunity for the NFU to network with other organisations and schools. Student-delegates were drawn from all over Lancashire and beyond. They were accompanied by adults who lead or support learning for sustainability initiatives - science, geography and learning beyond the classroom.
NFU Lancashire County Adviser Adam Briggs makes paper food chains
NFU’s Education Manager Joshua Payne set up a stand and was accompanied by NFU Lancashire County Adviser Adam Briggs and NFU North West Communications Adviser Carl Hudspith who signed up the schools to the Farmvention initiative. Farmvention (when farming meets invention) is a national STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) competition, launching in September and run by the NFU. To find out more visit www.farmvention.com
Conference Facilitator Glynis Goldsbrough said: “The NFU stand at the North West Eco-Schools Sustainability Conference attracted a steady stream of teachers, primary school children and high school students.
In addition to a wealth of information for adults to take back to their schools, there were age-appropriate hands -on activities to engage the children. These included making paper food chains.
NFU Education Manager Joshua Payne signs Lancashire teachers up to Farmvention
“There were also activity books to work in and take home. The children from urban communities gained an important insight into the important work farmers do.
I was so pleased to have representatives from NFU Education with us.”
NFU’s Education Manager Joshua Payne added: “From my perspective, as someone who has been to a lot of these types of things in the past in previous roles, it was really well organised. I felt we had good interaction with both teachers and students that is sometimes lost at bigger events but the ratio of students to teachers meant it was still definitely worthwhile travelling.”