Travelling to school - the eco-friendly way
More than 80 pupils and teachers from 25 primary schools in North and East Ayrshire are set to spend a day thinking green, travelling safe and keeping fit.
They're heading for Greenwood Resource Centre in Dreghorn on March 2 for a School Travel Plan Action Day - a joint-council event to encourage schools to develop eco-friendly ways for pupils to get to and from school.
The teachers and pupils will take part in a series of talks, workshops, games and activities all aimed at raising awareness of the environmental issues surrounding travel and encouraging schools to participate in a range of projects available to increase the numbers of children walking or cycling to school.
Fiona Cameron, North Ayrshire Council's School Travel Plan officer explained: "It is vital that we develop ways for people to travel that benefit the environment and their health. Our Action day is designed to introduce both teachers and pupils to some already successful initiatives and to encourage them to follow in those footsteps."
One of the presentations on the day will be from a representative from Sustrans, the UK's leading sustainable transport charity.
The charity works to reduce the environmental and resource impacts of transport and enable people to choose active travel more often.
The teachers and children will also hear about the award winning Travelling Green project being rolled out across schools in Scotland.
The project is aimed at encouraging Primary Five children to change their lifestyles by walking all, or part of the way, to and from school and the many places they visit.
Fiona said: "The children learn about health and fitness throughout the project and can map their journey to school as well as taking part in classroom activities."
The delegates will also hear about the Scottish Eco-Schools initiative, designed to encourage whole-school action for the environment. It is an environmental management tool, learning resource and recognised award scheme.
The pupils will also participate in active activities such as a breathing game, linking healthy heart and oxygen with global warming and deforestation. They'll also be given a Road Safety presentation and take part in a 'Great Debate'.