Introduction to collaborations
Since 1993, Schools & Homes Energy Education Project has been devising and conducting a pilot scheme on ways in which school communities can make informed decisions for sustainable energy use. The project is piloting renewable energy technology within National Curriculum guidelines and through a Healthful Living, Energy Savings and Community Enterprise Initiative.
For instance, for the past several years in partnership with Sheffield Central Libraries, Archives & Information – conducting during National Science & Engineering Week & Sheffield Festival of Science & Engineering: Energy Empowerment Workshops: Demystifying Energy/Fuel Saving & Renewable Energy.
in 2002 Schools & Homes Energy Education Project with investment from The Keyfund and support from the Sheffield Community Enterprise Development Unit [SCEDU] established Recovery Insulation as a social enterprise/for profit share capitol company with support from Business Link South Yorkshire High Growth Start-up, Enventure Landfill Tax Credit Scheme/Parkwood Environmental Fund, KTA/TSB and others.
Since 2002, RI has had manufactured, selling and distributing INNO-THERM, an ‘eco’ thermal/acoustic non-itch insulation made from recycled cotton/denim fibres. As a social enterprise, RI stands apart from other insulation companies in donating a proportion of our sales income to the Schools & Homes Energy Education Project to conduct renewable energy and energy efficiency activities in educational establishments, youth groups and general public.
In July 2013 a group of 20 international students visited Schools & Homes Energy Education Project/Solar-Active, from the London International Youth Science Forum. They came to Sheffield to learn about educational work we have been doing in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The venues for indoor activities are the Heeley Institute of the Heeley Development Trust, at their SUM Studio’s and outdoors at the Heeley People’s Park.
We are part of Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS) volunteer scheme. In 2013/14, ten volunteers were interviewed and tasks established.
Our Solar STEM resources provide the opportunity for x-curricular schemes for work, Sustainability Days, Solar Car, Boat and Design Challenges. The resources have also proved useful with the ‘hard-to-reach’ learners, to develop confidence –to feel motivated to learn; and fit into concept of Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic (VAK) learning. Over the past several years a number of STEM Net schools in UK have successfully used the solar resources. The schools have embedded the tasks into their National Curriculum Schemes of Work because they have been so impressed with results and feedback from their students: – “Can we do more things like this? – It was cool!”