PACE UK Pilot Project
NEWS - New PACE resources for secondary schools
Further funding from the Vodafone Group Foundation has helped Tusk and Siren’s PACE (Pan African Conservation Education) project bring a deeper understanding of sustainable development to British classrooms. Teachers say that the PACE films, featuring inspiring projects in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Zambia, are a fascinating and relevant classroom resource, giving an entirely different and much more positive view of Africa than much media coverage.
The global dimension is a major theme of the UK’s national curriculum. From early years to A-level, teachers are looking for ways to develop their pupils’ understanding of global interdependence and sustainable development. Tusk and Siren are now working with schools in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridge, Dorset and Newcastle, using the PACE resources to bring a global flavour to science, geography, English, and citizenship lessons.
Shopping Bag Stories
A story from the PACE book Africa Our Home compares the lifecycle of a plastic bag to that of a re-usable raffia basket. Illustrations by Godfrey Semwaiko.
At Stonesfield Primary School, Oxfordshire, the plastic bag is under investigation. After watching the PACE film about a South African women’s group who weave plastic-bags into hats and bags for sale, the children came up with their own ideas for reducing plastic waste here in the UK.
Science Club
Teacher Muna Mitchell leads an after-school science club at Holmer Green Senior School near Amersham, Buckinghamshire. She once lived and taught science in Botswana, and so was especially keen to get involved with the PACE initiative. The club is made up of 6th formers and younger pupils and is an opportunity to do more practical science. The club watched a PACE film about farmers in Zambia growing nitrogen-fixing trees to improve the soil and did their own experiment with leguminous pea plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, an interesting way to bring the complexities of the nitrogen cycle to life. Holmer Green Science Club is now working on an international education project with Zambian students through the Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust, one of the many organisations who use the PACE resources in Africa.
Linking up
There are over 900 international partnerships between schools in the UK and schools in Africa. Link Community Development, an organisation which supports over 400 school partnerships, and the Oxfordshire International Education Bureau, which supports links between schools in Oxfordshire and Uganda, have reviewed the PACE packs and believe they would be an excellent linking resource. As part of the current pilot, we’re working with several school partnerships interested in launching joint practical environmental projects such as composting, vegetable-growing, energy efficiency, tree-planting, and local wildlife projects.
“…it has been a pleasure to introduce a stimulus that motivates the students!”
Janice Mercer, VSO teachers, GGABA Primary Teachers College, Uganda
With a team of teachers, and with advice from partners such as the Association of Science Educators, TIDE (Teachers in Development Education) and RISC (Reading International Solidarity Centre), the PACE project has recently published a multimedia educational DVD for secondary schools, which can be ordered from Tusk Trust with the proceeds going towards ongoing distribution of conservation education resources in Africa.
PACE Virtual Explorer for Secondary Science and Geography
About the Resources
Explore the diversity of Africa and put global issues in context:
• Maps, learning activities and lesson plans with video clips and ICT options
• Mysteries, creative enquiries, role plays and group work to develop thinking, listening and presentation skills
• Links to KS3 Geography and GCSE, plus citizenship and global dimension themes of sustainability and interdependence
• Project ideas for positive action and international school partnerships
“Unique and positive case studies…” RISC Development Education Centre
PACE Virtual Explorer for Geography
Ten case studies from Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia
- DEVELOPMENT: Microcredit, Ecotourism, Human-Elephant Conflict
- URBAN ISSUES: Ecological Sanitation, Urban Greening
- WATER: Making Water Safe to Drink, Rainwater Harvesting
- RESOURCES: Wood-carving, Fuel Efficient Stoves, Plastic Bags
Order PACE Virtual Explorer for Geography from Tusk Trust Price £50. Download Order Form (ISBN 978-0-9555682-1-3)
PACE Virtual Explorer for Secondary Science
Six case studies from Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia
- ENERGY: Biogas, Hydroelectric Power
- RESOURCES: Marine Conservation, Recycling Rubbish
- FOOD PRODUCTION: Nitrogen Fixing Plants, Permaculture
- More details [Click to visit About this Resource Science page?]
Order PACE Virtual Explorer for Science from Tusk Trust Price £35.
Download Order Form(ISBN 978-0-9555682-2-0)
If you or your school would like to get involved please email Nancy Gladstone for more information.
With funding assistance from the Vodafone Group Foundation.
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