Well that went well! All the months of hard work preparing this event paid off. We had 175 students from around 12 schools across Oxfordshire, and 10 lovely exhibitors who ran 4 consecutive workshops for groups of around 15 students per workshop. The beautiful Hill End Outdoor Education Centre provided the perfect backdrop, and plenty of shade in the near 30 degree heat!
Student played energy networks with Low Carbon Hub, took pallets apart and learned about the recycling sector with Oxford Wood Recycling, designed low energy houses with Beard Construction, planned some ecology restoration with Amey Consulting, discovered the role of the armed forces in environmental protection, talked about regenerative farming with the coolest farmer in town, explored alternatives fuels with Siemens Energy, discussed land management with Strutt and Parker and Wytham Woods in tandem, and found out what Universities are doing about nature protection.
The indomitable Ian Curtis from the Environment Change Institute at Oxford University, as well as taking photos all day, gave a rousing plenary under the silver birches in the peak of the heat, encouraging the students to become part of the green economy in service of their own futures.
Here is a lovely blog about the event by Skye from Low Carbon Hub: Green Futures Conference at Hill End - Low Carbon Hub
In response to feedback from students, teachers and employers we are making a few tweaks for next time, and thinking about doing another on this coming autumn. Watch this space.