Scott Wilkie pupils get a lesson
in the three Rs at a new recycling education centre
Pupils from Scott Wilkie Primary School were made to think about
the three Rs -
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - when they took a trip to the education
centre MuRFy’s World, the result of the partnership between
Shanks East London and the East London Waste Authority (ELWA).
The visit was just one of many that the school undertook as it
joined in South West Newham Education Action Zone Citizenship
Week 2008.
With this year’s theme focusing on ‘Going Green’,
these lucky pupils were able to discover exactly what happens
behind the scenes to their school and household rubbish at the
Jenkins Lane Waste Management Facility in Beckton.
The 90 minute lesson explained the three Rs and the need for
everyone to take responsibility for the waste that the UK produces.
Explained Vivien Kirtland, Senior Community Education Liaison
Officer, Shanks East London: “They learn how to reduce,
reuse and recycle their waste at home and in school and participate
in the 3Rs game where they are put into groups and then have to
decide on whether statements are examples of reducing, reusing
or recycling.
“We also got them to explore where we get materials like
paper from, what harm this does to the environment (cutting down
trees in the case of paper) and all the great benefits of recycling
(e.g. recycling 1 tonne of paper saves 17 trees from being cut
down).
“After learning what can go into the orange recycling bags,
teams then take part in the recycling conveyor game, which shows
that once the orange bags are separated out for recycling, they
are opened by people who pick out the plastic bottles, cans and
tins and paper and thin card to be recycled and learn what new
products are made from recycled waste.”
Steven Thompson, Scott Wilkie’s Year 3 class teacher, who
accompanied the children on the trip said: “The visit to
MuRFy’s World was enjoyed by all the children who went and
allowed us a week for work to be completed with regard to ‘Going
Green’.
“They especially enjoyed the interactive conveyor belt in
which they had to sort rubbish into recyclable and non recyclable
materials. All the activities were interactive allowing all children
to participate.
“My class particularly seemed to enjoy the quiz at the
end as they were able to show (off!) their knowledge about the
topic.
“I would definitely recommend the trip to another class
or school if the topic arose again.”
To ensure the pupils didn’t forget their day out at MuRFy’s
World, all the pupils were given a goody bag containing a pencil
and notebook made from recycled newspaper and paper, a MuRFy sticker
and bookmark, an orange bag magnet for their fridge and a booklet
about recycling in Newham for their families.
Ends
Contact:
Karen Cousins, SW Newham EAZ Press Officer
Tel: 07957 492678
Email: cousins.karen@btopenworld.com
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