Earth Summit 2008

Plans are now forging ahead for the 2008 Earth Summit. In 2008, the event will focus on carbon foot printing and climate change. Throughout the four-day event, pupils will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of workshops about papermaking, carbon footprint, water, renewable energy, transport / Bike It Workshop, wildlife / biodiversity, food miles, recycling, Swindon Scrapstore (Junk Art).

Look out for invitation letters, which will be sent out to schools at the end of 2007.

Eco-Schools Earth Summit

The Swindon Borough Council Sustainable Development team, in partnership with a variety of organisations, host the Earth Summit, which is an environmental education event for Year 5 pupils. The Earth Summit is open to all junior schools within the Borough of Swindon and provides pupils with an opportunity to take part in a variety of environmentally-themed workshops based around the theme of eco-schools.

Schools will need to register their interest in the event and will be chosen on a 'first come first served' basis. A letter containing a registration of interest form will be sent to all schools in January of each year for the event which takes place over 4 days in May / June. The event allows for approx 100 pupils per day with each school group spending 1 day at the event.

Are you interested in setting up your own Earth Summit?

If so, examples of letters and documents are available to help other groups and organisations plan an Earth Summit. For more information please click on the appropriate links below:

1st letter of invite to schools for registration (Page 1)

1st letter of invite to schools (Page 2)

2nd letter -To successful applicants

3rd letter of confirmation

4th final letter to school

5th letter to school post event

Letter to companies seeking sponsorship

Example of daily Earth Summit timetable

Handy hints to run a successful Earth Summit

Project planning sheet

Below is an example of a lesson plan used in the 2004/05 Earth Summit.  A blank proforma was distributed to each workshop facilitator for their completion.  

Workshop template example

For the past 3 years, the Swindon Borough Council Sustainable Development Team have been successful in obtaining sponsorship from the private sector to develop and deliver an Earth Summit.

In 2005 this project was submitted for a Green Apple Award. The Green Apple is an internationally recognised award that promotes environmental best practice. The scheme is organised by the Green Organisation an Independent organisation. Gill Chandler, Sustainable Development Officer, went to the House of Commons on 8th November 2005 to collect the award. A case study has also been written and collated and is available on the Improvement Development Agency Website to share best practice (IDeA): www.idea-knowledge.gov.uk

An Earth Summit pack is also available to help you organise and prepare an Earth Summit for your organisation.  (Earth Summit support pack, copies of letters etc.)

Subject to funding, the team are hoping to run the event again in 2007 and will be writing to all Swindon Primary / Junior Schools to ask them to register their interest in the event. Schools will be chosen on a first come first served basis.