Children think critically about how our actions affect planet

CHILDREN from schools in and around Henley attended an environmental science fair.

About 120 students from
12 primary and three secondary schools came together for Greener Henley’s second science fair on Wednesday last week.

They explored how pollution affects nature and human health in Rotherfield Hall at The Henley College. Activities included examining plastic waste and learning about light pollution.

Younger children took part in creative experiments and games, led by older pupils from the secondary schools, including Gillotts School, The Piggott School and The Oratory School.

This included a game of snakes and ladders about clean air in Henley, the bee survival game and weaving a turtle picture.

Violet Jones, 17, who attends The Henley College, used cardboard to create two separate boxes, each depicting street lights with and without “hats” to help her explain their effects on wildlife.

She said: “One display shows how a particular design of street lamp spreads light everywhere, whereas the other, with the hat, does not.

“The general effect of light pollution is towards nocturnal animals like badgers and sea turtles in coastal areas, as their circadian rhythm can be affected, as they might think it’s daylight.

“On a human level, it’s disruptive for drivers because of the glare it causes, which is a general safety hazard.”

Violet believes it’s important to protect wildlife as more than 30,000 species are threatened with extinction. She said: “A lot of
species are endangered and their habitats are disrupted. If they can’t function in the way they are meant to at the times they are supposed to, it would be really sad and bad for the ecosystem.”

Felix Bartle, 17, who also attends The Henley College, showcased an art installation by Jennifer Jones, who specialises in hand-woven textiles.

The base is made from a fishnet and has items found on English beaches, such as shells, plastic and rope. It was loaned to the college for the fair.

Felix said: “This is something you can touch, feel, understand and learn from. It’s symbolically tied at the top, so there is no breathing room, showing how rubbish is suffocating the planet and animals.”

Toby Telford, 11 and Luca Bottroni, 12, who attend Gillotts School, illustrated how different materials can be re- or upcycled, rather than go into landfill.

Toby said: “We’re letting children decide whether plastic should go in a landfill or if it should be upcycled or recycled. What we’re finding is that most things you can upcycle and recycle and there’s really nothing you need to throw away.

“Nature is so beautiful and important that we should preserve it so people in the future know what it’s like and they can see something beautiful.”

Jayden Lilford, 13, and Cruz Hardy-Gleed, 13, from Piggott School, had a display about how to improve air quality at schools.

The poster had 15 bullet points to be completed by students, teachers and parents, including walking to school, switching lights off and encouraging recycling.

Jayden said: “Not having clean air affects your health and stops you living as long.”

At the end of the session, children shared their thoughts about the day on colourful paper insects while sat on the floor of the hall.

Councillor Ian Reissmann, deputy mayor of Henley, addressed the children and thanked them for their efforts.

Diana Barnett, of Greener Henley, the lead organiser of the science fair, said it was inspiring to see young people thinking critically about pollution and how everyday actions affect the planet.

She said: “This year’s fair was a true community effort with activities led and devised by students and supported by artists, The Henley College, Reading University, South Oxfordshire District Council and other local partners.

“We’re especially grateful to the Thamesfield Youth Association for funding the event and helping make it such a success.

“By helping children understand and tackle all types of pollution — air, water, plastic, light — we’re not just inspiring future scientists, we’re helping to make Henley a cleaner, healthier town for everyone.”

Councillor Gill Dodds, a trustee of the youth association, said: “It’s wonderful to see so many young people learning about pollution and our natural world in such an engaging, hands-on way.”

Simon Spearman, the principal of The Henley College, described the event as an “uplifting community occasion”.

The science fair forms part of Greener Henley’s new Green Futures Awards framework, which supports schools in Henley and surrounding areas on their journey towards environmental sustainability, nature connection and climate resilience.

The awards recognise schools’ progress from “bronze” through to “gold”, encouraging collaboration and sharing of best practice among schools.

To register for the Green Futures Awards, email gh.schools25@gmail.com