Young people set their sights on saving the oceans

The next generation of marine conservationists are making waves across Swindon following the launch of Lawn Manor Academy’s Ocean Club.

The club currently has 25 members from across Years 8, 10 and 11, who meet weekly to use their science, maths and engineering skills to investigate and develop creative and practical solutions to environmental issues affecting the oceans. 

The pupils are developing an in-depth understanding of how the oceans are integral to the health of the planet and they will be working towards a beach clean trip to Brighton with other schools in the UK who also run their own Ocean Club.

The club is part of a larger initiative involving schools across the UK and across the globe led by KBR, a future forward science, technology and engineering organisation that works with governments and businesses to make a more sustainable future.  

One Ocean is KBR’s sustainability initiative aimed at finding engineering solutions to one of the greatest environmental challenges facing our world, the elimination of plastics in the ocean. 

Kirsty Staff, Head of Geography at Lawn Manor Academy, said: “Our pupils are very engaged with environmental issues and feel passionately about the plight of the oceans. 

"With nine million tons of plastics entering the oceans every year and 700 marine species at risk of becoming extinct because of plastics in the seas, it’s an issue they’re motivated to help find a solution for.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our pupils to work with an outside company and see how real-life engineering and science skills can be applied to find answers to our climate crisis. 

"Not only will they gain a really good understanding of the issue of ocean pollution but they will also be working alongside pupils from other schools across the country, as well as internationally, to make a difference to the future of our world.”

Lawn Manor Academy is part of the Ascend Learning Trust, for more information visit www.lawnmanor.org