The Open Chat - Climate Change (KS2-5)
60-minute high quality, detailed & flexible workshops or assemblies.
Performed to students in small or large groups.
May suit carousel days or one-off visits. Available throughout the year.
How do the sessions run?
Our workshops are performed by 3 professional actors.
We start by breaking down what we are covering in the sessions: we explore the definitions, clarify facts and any laws surrounding the topic, and invite the students to answer questions and get involved.
The students are then shown scenes with characters in everyday, relatable situations.
We use elements of Augusto Boal's 'Forum Theatre: following scenes which see young characters with conflicting objectives, we freeze the action and split the audience into groups; the students are invited to advise the characters about what to do next. This is designed to allow students to articulate opinions and feelings in a safe, objective environment.
What We Cover
Our responsibility to recycle, adapt and change our ways to reduce Climate Change.
Our Climate Change Workshop explores topics covered in the PSHE Suggested Programme of Study, Core Theme 3 (Wider World.)
We take a focused look at the myths and facts surrounding recyclable materials, sustainable plastic, marine debris and man-made waste & pollution.
The students are invited to offer advice to a series of characters: one character litters and the other feels embarrassed to call them out on it. We then take suggestions for positive plans of action to create change.
We conclude by outlining help and resources available.
We're more than happy to tailor the workshop upon request to focus on any issues you feel are particularly relevant to your students.
Included with the workshop
Teacher's further work pack
Why is it so important to discuss Climate Change with young people?
Our generation is seeing the biggest environmental challenge ever faced and young people are leading the charge for change, as the biggest advocates of reducing climate change.
WWF Stats show 20-30% of species at risk of extinction if we cannot reduce global warming.
A study from the UN Environment programme showed 'close to half a million youth around the world have taken action on climate change through SGP [small grants programmes] projects in their homes, schools and communities' and '84% of the surveyed young people agree that they need more information to prevent climate change.'
UpFront Theatre Company's workshop is a positive and pro-active converstation, which will give the students ideas to take forward into the wider world.