Sustainable schools

Council for Environmental Education         - Recommended

reviews, regular e-newsletters, links, resources, grants,  news and events on educating environmental awareness.
Great organisation for education in sustainable development, good, useful website.

Suitable for teachers

Ballater Environmental Education Centre

Courses and events for schools and teachers.

Suitable for teachers

Environment unit

 Lesson plans on a range of environmental subjects.

Has downloadable resources
USA
Suitable for KS2-3

Selwooods environment day

Information about the projects run at Selwood.
Suitable for teachers

Four Seasons

Up-to-date information on environmental events and resources, information on how schools can become involved in Local Agenda 21 and an action plan for sustainability and the environment.

CAT Centre for Alternative Technology

Comprehensive web site set up by the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales.

Channel 4

An animated interactive website backing up its programmes on citizenship and sustainability. Information, lots of links, ideas etc.

x curricular
Suitable for teachers and children

Children's express     - Recommended

Worth seeing - lots of resources for KS3 and KS4, based on stories from the media, including journalism by young people.

Citizen's Express provides you with an accessible 12-week programme of study for use in Citizenship and PSHE lessons at Key Stages 3 & 4.

Has downloadable resources
Citizenship and PSHE
Suitable for teachers

UK Department of the Environment site for schools         - Recommended
Global warming is causing concern around the world. This site will give you an idea of what it's all about as well as information for projects and course work. Most importantly it will give you advice and tips on what you can do about it.
A good, comprehensive and pretty interesting site.  Lots of info and suggestions for the curriculum.

Has downloadable resources
X curricular links
Suitable for teachers and children

Devon Agenda 21

Illustration of what a sustainable school might look like. Looks like the start of something, but this site is pretty useless at the moment.

Suitable for teachers

Eco Schools

Programme for providing environmental awareness in a way that links to many curriculum subjects.

Carbon Calculator      - Recommended

Action at School is an environmental programme that helps the whole school community to go green and to save money. It is curriculum linked for key stages three and four and is recognised by the United Nations.
Program that a school can follow - looking at water waste, transport and energy efficiency.  It has a carbon calculator although you have to give a lot of personal info to access it.

Suitable for teachers and older children

Green Code programme for schools

looks at waste energy travel biodiversity and pollution.  Produces resources for KS 1,2&3.
Basic information, points to and explains about the Green Code's CD ROMs which come with lesson plans and curriculum materials.

Suitable for teachers

Green peace education section

Teaching resources and short films on GM crops, rain forests and renewable energy.  Quizzes, teaching notes, etc.

Has downloadable resources
Geography, Science and English
Suitable for teachers

Idealist.org

US site with lots of links.  "A global network of individuals and organizations working to build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives in a healthy environment".
Links out.

Suitable for teachers

National Curriculum - Education for sustainable development

Comprehensive guidance for schools and teachers on the curriculum, sustainability and citizenship.
Links information and resources.

X Curricular
Suitable for teachers

DES

Includes schemes of work. Gives guidance notes on the curriculum, citizenship and  going on to all others!
Has downloadable resources
X Curricular Suitable for teachers

Tide curriculum projects- DEC

List of materials for teachers, students and those in adult and in service education. They offer ways of exploring issues about development, sustainability, equality and justice - both here and in other parts of the world.

World Watch Institute

Produce an annual detailed report on the state of the world, e.g. state of agriculture. Newsletters, fact and figures.
Suitable for adults and older children

Young People's Trust for the Environment

Information on rainforests, acid rain, global warming, endangered species, pollution, ozone layer, whales and dolphins for young people aged 5 to 16 years.
Lots of detailed fact sheets. Has a school membership scheme.

Eco-schools

International scheme for schools, helping them to develop environmental awareness and policies. Eco-Schools is an international programme for environmental education on sustainability, based upon a methodology which can be used by any school. Tips, news, ideas and information.

Oxfam Cool Planet

Site for young people and teachers on development, education and global citizenship. Information, activities, quizzes, global citizenship etc.

Dave Wakefield's GeoNet

'A one-man bid to set up the definitive Web site for geography teachers and students' - Guardian
Resources, links, advice, etc.
Suitable for teachers

Environmental database for schools

Water, alternative energy, and aircraft pollution are just three of the topics covered in this database. It also has a game to save the planet and a questionnaire for before and after looking at the site.
Comprehensive explanations on a wide range of topics.

Climate Change

Cool Kids for a Cool Climate   -   - Recommended

Produced by a young person, this is a lively and accessible website for young people.

Bald Eagle GeoResources

Geography resources for teachers and students of all ages.

Friends of the Earth Climate Change Campaign

Details of a campaign by Friends of the Earth with background information and links. Basic info on climate change.

Suitable for adults and older children

Atmospheric Research & Information Centre

On-line information sheets on all aspects of climate change in clear language and simple diagrams. ARIC provides world class research and education in atmospheric and sustainability issues to encourage responsible development.

Has downloadable resources
Sciences
Suitable for adults and older children

The Climatic Research Unit

One of the world's leading institutions concerned with the study of natural and anthropogenic climate change. Papers, links and newsletters. Contains posters depicting details of reports.

The aim of CRU is to improve scientific understanding in:
» past climate history and its impact on humanity.
» the course and causes of climate change during the present century.
» prospects for the future.

Four Seasons

Three school projects related to the weather and a range of environmental education resources for schools. Each project makes use of data collected from automatic weather stations at a series of sites in England. Detailed information about seasonal changes, plants, animals, energy saving, etc. Includes quiz.

Has downloadable resources
Science, Geography
Suitable for KS2-3

Planet Pals

Educational site aimed mostly at children.  Also has a teachers section.

'

Dr Art's guide to Planet Earth'

A really good introduction to energy, matter, zero waste and ecosystems.  This site is essentially one large advert for the American book, but it is worth a look at.
Has some activities that can be used in class although you will have to hunt a bit.

The United Nations'

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

The best place for up to date information on climate change and its likely impacts. Assess scientific, technical and socio- economic information relevant for the understanding of climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation.

Friends of the Earth  - RecommendedInspiring solutions to environmental problems in the hope of making life better for people. Contains green electricity information Suitable for adults and older children

Energy and Environmental Research Programme

Programme designed to provide scientific and economic analysis to support and inform energy policy and sustainable development, resources to support environmental research.

Climate Care

Dedicated to helping you stop damaging the climate. 'Climate Care can take the global warming out of the things you do and the products you buy, so that you become part of the solution, not part of the problem'.

The Carbon Calculator          - Recommended

Offers the chance to quickly measure the amount of carbon dioxide you emit into the atmosphere and provides advice on how to reduce these emissions.

The Climate Ark

The Climate Ark is dedicated to promoting public policy that addresses global climate change through reductions in carbon dioxide and other emissions, renewable energy, energy conservation and ending deforestation.
Search engine and climate change portal.

Renewable energy

WREN World Renewable Energy Network

International promotion of renewable energy.

CADDET

CADDET provides International information and project examples on the following technologies: -biomass ­geothermal  -waste ­hydro ­solar -wind  -photovoltaic. A unique source of global information on proven, commercial applications covering the full range of renewable energy technologies.

CREATE          - Recommended

Co-ordinates and promotes renewable energy education in a fun way.

Energy Directory

Provides all the information to keep you informed about the constantly evolving energy utilities market.

Energy Quest

colourful and informative with lots of energy information, puzzles, stories, jokes and an art gallery. Information, questions and answers, activities - This site is about energy in general and includes nuclear information.

Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

Specialises in performing and enabling innovative research on new and renewable energy technologies.

Green Energy Options

Aims to encourage sustainable and green sources of energy. Has an educational programme with information and activities for schools.

Another very good source of information for renewable energy.

International Energy Agency

IEA is the energy forum for 26 countries which are committed to taking joint measures to meet oil supply emergencies, sharing energy information, co-ordinating their energy policies and co-operating in development of rational energy programmes.

Danish Windpower industry - Recommended

The official site. More than 100 animated pages and calculators on wind resources, wind turbine technology, economics, and environmental aspects of wind energy.

Wind power at school

In March 1999 Cassop Primary School in County Durham became the first wind-powered school in Great Britain with the installation of a 50kw turbine in the school field.  This is a write up about it.

www.solarcentury.co.uk

Makers of Solar PV panels, this is their home site.

CREA Confederation of Renewable Energy Associations

Company comprising the seven UK renewable energy trade associations. PV-UK

New Review

Department of Trade and Industry's quarterly New and Renewable Energy newsletter.

Planet Energy - Recommended

Planet energy is aimed specifically at school children aged 7-11 and 11-16 with some 'boring grown up stuff'. Renewable energy trail in search of the 'mysterious forces on our planet'. The renewables section of the DTI's Energy Group Website.  Informational and detailed. Great place to go for research.

CREST Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology

Based at Loughborough University CREST's remit is to advance renewable energy technology so as to provide substantial and benign energy for present and future generations.

De Montfort University Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development

Further education in renewable energy and sustainable development.

Wind Power   - Recommended

Activities that can be used within the classroom as an introduction to wind power.

RES Schools pack

School pack - information and discussion on wind, the technologies and the arguments, good all rounder.

Healthy eating and growing

Henry Doubleday Research Association     - Recommended

HDRA is dedicated to researching and promoting organic gardening, farming and food, the organic network for schools is a very good resource. Tips and advice, learning zone, teaching zone, school reports, facts and figures.  Helpful, informative - highly recommended.

Wired for health       - Recommended

Providing health information for teachers with direct links to child friendly sites, for each key stage.

Access to farms

This website will locate nearby farms for you to visit with your school group.
Suitable for teachers

Soil Association

The Soil Association is the UK's leading campaigning and certification organisation for organic food and farming. Library, education resources, facts, online farm trails, Great web site, lots of resources.

Has downloadable resources
X curricular
Suitable for teachers and older children

Growing Schools       - Recommended

The initiative aims to encourage all schools to make better use of the outdoor classroom as a context for teaching and learning, both within and beyond the school grounds.  The site describes its 5 flagship projects and has detailed information sheets on line.

The Kids Food Cyberclub

The Kids Food Cyberclub is a nutrition education program developed by the Connecticut Association for Human Services. Lots of information and interaction for children on healthy eating

Has downloadable resources
USA site
Suitable for KS2-3

Heartsavers

Browse our games and enrichment activities. With answers and information to help teach exercise, healthy life skills and nutritious food choices.

Food forum     - Recommended

Food Forum is an independent food education service, supporting an understanding in the use and enjoyment of food. The F-files provide a bank of teaching and learning materials, together with case studies.

Has downloadable resources
Citizenship Home economics
Suitable for KS3-4

Food forum

Information, guidance, questions and answers about food including recommended resources.

Has downloadable resources
Has curriculum links
Suitable for teachers

FACE   - Recommended

Worth going to for resources and information about the natural world, biodiversity, or anything to do with our countryside - good site. Farm and country education site. Has information on resources for primary and secondary, farms to visit and fact sheets.

Big Barn

You type in your postcode to see a map of your area showing your local small food producers. Food facts links, local food information, seasonal food information and recipes.

Transport

TRANSform Scotland

TRANSform Scotland campaigns for a more sensible transport system, one less dependent on unsustainable modes such as the car and the heavy lorry, and more reliant on sustainable modes such as walking, cycling and public transport.
Information on how they work. 

Suitable for adults and older children

Young TransNet - Recommended

Young TransNet uses IT and the Internet to assist children and young people in transport research and action.  Has an on-line survey about journeys to school that pupils or their teachers can utilise. An educational project and online survey.  Has lots of links to other transport organisations and groups.

Safe Routes to Schools is a community approach to encourage more people to walk and cycle to school safely, improve road safety and reduce child casualties, improve children's health and development,  reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

Has a newsletter, advice and publications to help develop a school policy.

Water

WOW - Recommended

A partnership website between British Waterways, The Waterways Trust and The Inland Waterways Association. The aim of the partnership is to reach out to young people with the message that the waterways are a vibrant, dynamic and integral part of our country's heritage and infrastructure. Has games, information, lesson plans, interactive involvement.

Has downloadable resources
Various curriculum links for KS2
Suitable for teachers and children

RORE (River Ocean Research and Education) Water file

An educational resource aimed at teachers and community groups. It enables you to access different water-based educational resources and materials. Although based around the south east of England it includes things that are of much wider applicability. Packs, schemes of work and curriculum links.

Food

Energy Efficiency

Earthlights

Just the picture - no links or anything else.  Worth a look! An extraordinary picture of the Earth from space, showing the lights.

Suitable for teachers and children

Energy Chest

Covers energy in buildings, energy and the environment plus energy sources.  A good site. The site includes basic information on energy and its use, curriculum activities, notes for teachers and a library of links to other energy and environmental sites.

Funergy          - Recommended

fun, cartoony energy site for children. Energy-saving games for children.

Suitable for KS2-3

School Energy

Saves money on energy to spend on projects. Advice, information, resources and news on energy issues in schools are available on this web site.

A government inititive.

Suitable for Teachers

Has downloadable resources

Schools on line - science

This site was set up to support schools and teachers taking part in the DTI funded Schools Online Project. The project involved over 100 schools and ran from September 95 to December 97. Quite a varied and interesting site.  More science than sustainability. Has very varied information, also advice for younger people about magazines, websites and places of information about energy, how to work out how much a school spends on lighting and how much it could save.

Suitable for teachers and children
Science

CREATE

Major organisation promoting energy education. Information for schools and young people, energy saving and games. Information, superb energy releated links page, newsletter energy management and downloadable resources etc.

Oneworld, The Energy Tree

Simple explanations, mainly of what energy is.

Recycling and waste management

Wastewatch   - Recommended

Waste Watch is the leading national organisation promoting and encouraging action on the 3Rs - waste reduction, reuse and recycling. Education information, games and packs on waste management and recycling.  Kids site under development. Good source of free resources and facts.

Has downloadable resources
Suitable for teachers and older children

Pulp and Paper Information Centre

Information and resources for schools on manufacturing and recycling paper.

The central source of information website for the Pulp, Paper and Board Industry.

Has downloadable resources
Suitable for teachers and older children

Ollie Recycles            - Recommended

Downloads, games, projects and links for children and teachers. Australian. 'Ollie's World' contains two sections - one for adults and one for kids. The extensive kids' section has information for children worldwide, about the 4Rs: Pretty good, fun and interactive.

Incpen

Packaging industry website with Kids Zone and staff room. Lots of info and National Curriculum links on materials and waste issues. Information including time line and newsletter.  They have several resources on offer to buy.

Suitable for teachers and older children

British Glass

Details on glass recycling in the UK.  Through this web site you'll be able to learn more about the world of glass, how it's made, how it's used and how it would be difficult to live without it. Information and links.

Suitable for adults and older children

ALUPRO (Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation

Everything you could want to know about aluminium can and foil recycling, including school schemes and education centres and cash for cans. Practical information and links.  Alupro also produce resources for primary and secondary schools.

Recycling World Magazine

A source of information in the rapidly changing recycling industry. Comment - this month's view of what's going on in recycling.
Newsdesk - the latest news from the recycling industry.
Features - more detailed articles on current topics affecting UK recycling.
Prices - Latest prices for recyclable materials.

Suitable for adults and older children

Recycling Lesson Plans

Lesson plans on waste.

Sustainable playgrounds

Learning Through Landscapes          - Recommended

Their Mission is to ensure that children enjoy the opportunities and experiences that well-planned and designed school grounds can offer. LFL publish ideas (and regular magazine) for making the most of school grounds. Fantastic site, great organisation. Has information and activities for children and teachers. Highly recommended.

Natural world and biodiversity

RSPB

Informative and extensive information about birds.

Suitable for adults and older children

School community  environment program

Homepage of an Australian primary school. Pretty good information, activities and links  - Lots of web links.

Australian Site
Suitable for teachers

BBC education website

General nature website has lots of other resources. Information and activities.

Suitable for KS2-4

BBC education website

Lots of information and interactive stuff about nature. Good ecosystem games

Growing Schools       - Recommended

The initiative aims to encourage all schools to make better use of the outdoor classroom as a context for teaching and learning, both within and beyond the school grounds.  The site describes its 5 flagship projects and has detailed information sheets on line.

Has downloadable resources
Suitable for teachers

Treesponsibility

Treesponsibility in Calderdale is a not-for-profit community group, based on mutual accountability and consensus. Information about tree responsibility and a bit about planting trees.

Suitable for adults and older children

Henry Doubleday Research Association ­ organic network for schools  - Recommended

Good site for school gardens. 'How-to' make and maintain a wildlife or food garden. Notes for teachers in curriculum and a few interactive activities.

The Marine Conservation Society

Details of marine conservation campaigns and events, including World Ocean Day and the Good Beach Guide.  The Marine Conservation Society is the UK Charity dedicated to the protection of the marine environment and its wildlife.
Some information ­ mostly on campaigns.  In their shop they have a few resources for sale - prices from £2.50 - £6.00.

Has downloadable resources
Science, Geography, English
Suitable for teachers and older children

The Butterfly Website

American website giving comprehensive information on butterfly gardening, farming, ecology and  education.   Learn how to plant a butterfly garden.

Suitable for KS2-3

Environmental Education & Interpretation - Recommended

A treasure of a website with lots of great links, ideas for activities and lots of good links to wildlife education resources. Mostly links, some information on teaching about nature.  Lovely comments.

Animal Zone

Up-to-date information on wildlife and conservation programmes. Background, quizzes, games and activities on all kinds of animals and their conservation. Information on their programmes, facts and figures about nature.

Suitable for adults and older children

Cairngorms Partnership

Details of management plans, activities and information on the Cairngorm area.

Suitable for adults and older children

AES Bug Club

The Bug Club is a club devoted to young people and the "Young at heart" who find insects and other creepy crawlies interesting and even fascinating. 
Pages for young entomologists from the Amateur Entomologists' Society. Detailed information about 'bugs'.  Membership is possible.

Forestry Commission

Education section is being developed but leaflets and posters can be ordered and questions asked. Information about forestry, etc.

Suitable for adults and older children

UK Biodiversity Site

The JNCC is the UK Government's wildlife adviser, undertaking national and international conservation work on behalf of the three country nature conservation agencies English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales. Information on habitats, species, marine coastal, international.

Suitable for adults and older children

Scottish Natural Heritage

The government agency for Scotland's natural heritage.  Information.

Suitable for adults and older children

WWF-UK        - Recommended

World wide wildlife conservation programmes and education information, packs and books.  As one of the biggest non governmental environmental organisations, the WWF have a lot to say. Information, games, practical advice, online shop, quizzes, internet debates for pupils.  A great place to look at sustainable development.

Canterbury Environmental Education Centre - nature grid

Very good website of a nature reserve. Facts and information, quite absorbing for children.

X curricular links Suitable for teachers and children

Pl@net.com

Website allows users to read about projects and post their activities. Links to other websites.

Communities

Sustainable Measures

A good explanation of sustainability for older students.

Suitable for adults and older children

On the Line

Through communication, visits, exchanges, events, celebrations, On the Line links people in the eight meridian-line countries: Togo, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Algeria, Spain, France and the United Kingdom. Includes activities and projects for schools, interactive stuff for pupils, activities and information.
Geography, Literacy and Citizenship Spanish,
Suitable for KS2-3

The Neighbourhood Initiatives Foundation

Easy to use design for urban regeneration.  "Planning for Real" can improve the way in which residents, officers and councillors can work together to implement change.
Information about urban regeneration packs.

Suitable for teachers

Miniature earth         - Recommended

An online 'film' introducing global citizenship. Thought provoking, lasts about 3 minutes.

Suitable for teachers and children

The Globe Programme

International environmental education project that tries to encourage schools to explore their local areas and report their findings over the Internet. Covers sustainable development.

Suitable for teachers and children

Oneworld, The Energy Tree

Simple explanations, mainly of what is energy.

CREATE          - Recommended

Major organisation promoting energy education. Information for schools and young people, energy saving and games. Information, superb energy releated links page, newsletter, energy management and downloadable resources.

Has downloadable resources
Suitable for teachers and older children

Schools on line - science

This site was set up to support schools and teachers taking part in the DTI funded Schools Online Project. The project involved over 100 schools and ran from September 95 to December 97. Quite a varied and interesting site.  More science than sustainability. Information and advice for younger people about magazines, websites and places of information about energy. How to work out how much a school spends on lighting and how much it could save.

Science
Suitable for teachers and children

School Energy      - Recommended

saves money on energy to spend on projects. Advice, information, resources and news on energy issues in schools are available on this web site.  This is a government initiative

Funergy          - Recommended

Fun, cartoon energy site for children.  energy-saving games for children.

Suitable for KS2-3

Energy Chest

Covers energy in buildings, energy and the environment and energy sources.   A good site which includes basic information on energy and its use, curriculum activities, notes for teachers and a library of links to other energy and environmental sites.

Suitable for KS2-3

Earthlights

Just the picture - no links or anything else.  Worth a look! An extraordinary picture of the Earth from space, showing the lights.

Consumer and lifestyle

Conservation International

Informational and awareness raising around the world. Information about Conservation International.

Suitable for adults and older children

One World.net

A site of news, issues and campaigns related to the developing world. Includes links to over 450 non-governmental organisations. Brings together a network of people and groups working for human rights and sustainable development from across the globe.  Global community.

Suitable for adults and older children

Learn things - the Guardian

Learn.co.uk is their "open" site, with lots of free resources for homework and revision.

Ecological footprint

Calculate the impact of your lifestyle on the planet and find out where to go next. Footprint calculator - links at the end.

Citizenship
Suitable for teachers and older children

Global Express

A rapid response information series for schools on world events in the news. A newsletter on our Global community.

Suitable for KS2-3

Banana link

Banana Link aims to alleviate poverty and prevent further environmental degradation in banana exporting communities and to work towards a sustainable banana economy. Good research site for all things banana, including fair trade and intensive farming issues.

Seeing through the Spin

A pack for analysing advertising and PR ( free download ) aimed at KS4.

Extremely partial information about PR advertising in general and Nestle in particular

Has downloadable resources
Suitable for KS4

A to Z teachers stuff

Lesson plans of all shapes and sizes, some more relevant than others.

Homes and buildings

Commission for architecture and the built environment

Cabe education aims to create greater public understanding of the importance of quality urban design through increasing access to opportunities for learning about the built environment. Events, information and case studies.

Suitable for teachers

Bed Zed

A new urban high density development, an urban 'ecovillage' in Southern England. Clever design putting together different established techniques. Used lots of recycled materials. Information and links to other similar buildings.

Suitable for adults and older children

Sherwood Energy Village

A 91 acre former colliery site in Nottingham. New industry, housing, leisure etc. All the housing is energy-efficient. Project was set up by miners when mine closed.

Information, inspiration.

Hockerton Housing Project

The UK's first earth sheltered, self-sufficient ecological housing development. A terrace of 5 houses in Nottinghamshire, self-sufficient in energy (through windmill) and water (filtered rainwater). The houses take almost no energy to heat. The residents of the five houses generate their own clean energy, harvest their own water and recycle waste materials causing no pollution or carbon dioxide emissions. The houses are amongst the most energy efficient, purpose built dwellings in Europe.

Suitable for adults and older children

Schools Toolkit disk

Practical information for implementation of sustainable building.  To help schools reduce their environmental impacts. 'The Schools Toolkit' can make a valuable contribution to student's education in several areas of the curriculum. BRE is the UK's leading centre of expertise on buildings, construction, energy, environment, fire and risk.

Suitable for teachers

Sustainable village.

Suitable for adults and older children

Sustainable village

Columbia's model city

Write-up about a newly built sustainable tropical civilization in Colombia.

Suitable for adults and older children

Sustainable village.

Suitable for adults and older children

Manchester Environmental Resource Community Initiative - MERCI

http://www.bridge-5.org/

An old mill converted to be a community and environmental resource centre. No information about their projects including community gardening.

Suitable for adults and older children

The house that Mike and Heather built

Reed beds, grey water, solar panels. An Australian city eco-house.  Interesting accessible information about an eco-conversion. Quite inspiring.

"Whole Building" Approach to Sustainable Design

The first sustainable solar community development in South Africa. A solar-powered village which cost no more than the usual way of doing things. The residents built their own houses.