Schools & Homes Energy Education Project

History The Schools & Homes Energy Education Project over the past several years has successfully developed an educational method and resources in working with educational establishments and community groups primarily in the Yorkshire-Humber region. The method and resources provide opportunities for people to use and develop their creative, inventive and problem solving skills essential in the growth of their personal and professional abilities in the home and workplace.

We have linked up with professionals in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy to work with the hard-to-reach ( e.g. hearing impaired ) and within community & young peoples’ groups. Making learning enjoyable whilst developing problem solving and team building skills through family workshops, courses and training. Exploring the potential for employment and training opportunities within the field of energy conservation. Hard -to-reach

Community Self-Help Solar A community based scheme in South Yorkshire-Humber in which disabled and non- disabled participants worked individually and together as a team to construct full-scale solar water heating panels for installation and use in their community garden. Workshops were run as a partnership between Schools & Homes Energy Education Project, Heeley City Farm Energy Project, Burton Street Community Centre and Pinfold Community Gardens, Cudworth.

Solar water heating panel Solar water system demonstration

The educational method uses our unique energy efficiency and renewable energy educational resources* to learn scientific concepts and make informed decisions about ones’ energy use: *Model solar car/boat/lorry *Mini-solar pump kits *Home & school energy surveys *Web-based resources. Learning to understand

Solar Car & Boat Building The solar car can be built within 30 minutes creating a solar device that works giving one a sense of achievement, ownership and enjoyment. The car is then transformed into a solar boat. The builder of the car or boat is also given the opportunity to improve its’ performance in applying scientific concepts of friction, polarity, voltage, current and effect of light intensity.

Walled-Garden Family Event - Meersbrook Park, Sheffield

Solar challenges have been organized by 50+ Local Authorities and Borough Councils across UK since 2002 to raise awareness of the applicability of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Sponsored by Local and National Government Authorities, Environmental Agencies, Energy Efficiency Advice Centres, energy suppliers, voluntary organizations, community groups and private companies. Solar Challenges

Tell Me, I’ll Forget, Show Me, I’ll Remember, Let Me Do It, I’ll Understand. - Chinese Proverb * * 53 Mowbray St. Sheffield S3 8EN