Expanding and Enhancing the ELWP Learning Circle
| Sponsor: | East London Waterworks Park |  |
| Sponsor Liaison: | Nathan Miller | |
| Student Team: | Daniel Boutin, Sarah Kogan, Elion Sholla, Serena Tura | |
| Abstract: | The East London Waterworks Park (ELWP) focuses on redeveloping an ex-Thames water depot into an accessible green space. The Learning Circle, a division within this organisation, is dedicated to crafting educational experiences within the park. Our project was to help the Learning Circle expand their outreach to schools through educational materials that can be used by students on sitewalks of the ELWP. We collected data through interviews, document review, and field observations. Key findings emphasised nature appreciation, hands-on activities, dialogic and group learning, and accessibility, guiding the creation of educational materials for Key Stage 1 students. Through these deliverables, our project helps the ELWP give students hands-on opportunities to explore the natural world. | |
| Link: |
Booklet: Expanding and Enhancing the East London Waterworks Park Learning Circle |
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Executive Summary
The East London Waterworks Park (ELWP) is a community-driven organisation focused on the redevelopment of an ex-Thames water depot into a community accessible green space. The Learning Circle is one part of this larger organisation and focuses on creating learning experiences throughout the park. Our project was designed to help the ELWP Learning Circle expand their outreach to schools through sets of educational materials that can be used in conjunction with a sitewalk of the ELWP’s land. After collecting data through interviews, document review, field observations, and examining existing forest school activities, we identified key aspects of environmental education. We found that it is important to emphasise appreciating nature and to consider modifications for increasing accessibility. We also found that it is important to create hands-on activities, incorporate a dialogic learning style, and maximise group learning. Our findings then influenced the creation and revision of our educational materials intended for Key Stage 1 students. Through these deliverables, our project will help the ELWP expand their work by giving students hands-on opportunities to explore and appreciate the natural world around them.