28 February 2011

Youngsters put their energy into going green
AN MP visited a Morpeth school to see first hand how a green services provider is helping pupils learn about renewable energy.

As part of its commitment to sustainable energy sources, Eaga is linking up with schools across the UK to help spread the message about their importance both today and in the future.

And as it has previously installed an array of solar panels at Newminster Middle School and Technology College, it made perfect sense to start there.

Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery joined in with a solar energy lesson during his visit and he said that as well as being a lot of fun, it was great to see schoolchildren showing such enthusiasm for clean energy.

He added: This region has a proud heritage in coal mining, but we are also now known for being at the forefront of low carbon energy production and for our younger generation this offers an exciting future. I therefore applaud Newminster Middle School and Eaga for this initiative.

Science teacher Gillian Whitmell said: The flooding in Morpeth in 2008 has made us all aware of how fragile our planet is and there is huge interest in our school for green living.

We have solar panels on our roof supplying power to the kitchens and we recently achieved Eco Schools Green Flag status for our efforts in, for example, recycling, reusing water and paper and reducing waste.

Working with Eaga is therefore something we were more than keen to do.

The Newcastle-based company is one of the UKs largest installers of household renewable energy solutions. The solar energy lesson was delivered by its recently appointed Renewables Educational Officer, Caroline Robinson.

Newminster is already doing some fabulous work through initiatives such as its after school climate crews and eco clubs, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and talk about renewable energy, she said.

As a former teacher I know how important it is to make lessons interesting and fun and easy for busy teachers to include in the curriculum.

Using a range of interactive props, I can demonstrate renewable energy in a way which engages all the pupils and hopefully leaves a lasting impression.

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