Participating
in the Translink Eco-Schools Travel Challenge is a means for schools to
cover the Transport topic, which will then contribute to their overall Eco-Schools
award assessment.
The
challenge involves school class/bubbles participation over a two week period to
monitor pupil travel patterns to and from school
Pupils are encouraged
to use more sustainable travel modes – mainly walk/cycle/bus/train –
instead of car travel.
In
addition to Eco-Schools awards, classes and pupils who show the greatest change
towards sustainable transport use will also be rewarded by Translink with cash
and travel prizes.
Challenge Aims:
- Assist
schools in achieving the Eco-Schools Green Flag award.
- Raise
awareness on the impact of transport on the environment.
- Demonstrate
the benefits of choosing sustainable transport modes.
- Stimulate
action in terms of more sustainable transport use, including public
transport.
- Decrease the
negative impact of car congestion at school gates.
- Strengthen links
between the local community and Translink – schools, teachers, pupils and
parents as well as other local key stakeholders.
- Encourage people to
use local public transport services (following the current safety rules).
Translink / Eco-Schools Support
Translink wants to grow school participation in the Travel Challenge across Northern Ireland and support the Eco-Schools Programme in the Travel topic.
Resource Development
- Translink has produced a large visual
classroom wall chart and online survey materials in which pupils monitor how
they travel to school every morning and afternoon during the two week challenge.
- In the survey or chart, pupils are also able
to mark their old travel routine so they can compare it with their routine
during the challenge and hopefully see improvement in terms of sustainable
journeys made.
- Survey/chart completion instructions for
teachers (see the toolkit)
- Dedicated Eco-Schools online section on Translink website – www.translink.co.uk/ecoschools
- Schools can register online for the challenge
(visit your School Zone and enter the Year Planner with the list of all
available projects and registrations)
- Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 resources for teachers to
download and print from the website.
- Posters for schools to display.
- Letters for schools to send to parents about
the Challenge (see the toolkit).
- Teacher’s tips and best practice examples (see
the toolkit).
- Stickers for all participants.
- Winner & participant certificates.
To register and receive your teacher toolkit email
eco-schools@keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org