Students encouraged to take action

Enviroschools and the Greater Wellington Regional Council have banded together to create a resource encouraging school students to think about sustainable travel such as walking, cycling or scooting.

The online curriculum resource provides a process for schools across the Wellington region to implement sustainable active travel practices through student inquiry.

Greater Wellington has provided research, funding and design expertise, while Enviroschools have crafted the resource content with input from teachers.

Enviroschools Regional Facilitator Gill Stewart says this is a resource teachers can easily pick up and choose activities from.

"It is about citizenship - it offers a response for students to climate change as well as integrating Matauranga Maori."

Gill says this resource could help teachers guide students to find what active travel actions they could take that would make a difference for themselves, their community and the planet.

Greater Wellington Sustainable Transport Committee chair Barbara Donaldson says it would be fantastic to see a resource such as this used in more schools across the region.

"What has been created here is a resource that is easy to use and gives children the opportunity to think about exercise, social responsibilities and improving the environment all at the same time."

Greater Wellington Travel Choice Coordinator Kirsty Barr says the resource includes a student booklet where children can share their thoughts on travel, understanding citizenship and climate change. 

Kirsty says the curriculum is open to all primary schools, with a particular focus on year's five to eight, across the region and she encourages students and teachers to get on board.

"We have a group of schools already doing work but we welcome enquiries from others that are keen."

Kirsty says students could be motivated to do projects from a climate change point of view, addressing issues such as chaos at school gates, or improving health and well-being.

"Schools who took part in this year's successful Movin'March campaign can use that enthusiasm to spring board into Active Travel Action. 

"It's a highly adaptable and teacher friendly resource and a great way to keep momentum up throughout the school year," Kirsty says.

Ongoing support is available from Enviroschools, local councils and Greater Wellington for any schools interested in implementing the resource.

For more information visit www.gw.govt.nz/ata or email any queries to schooltravel@gw.govt.nz