The John Muir Award
Award encourages young people to engage with wild places
There is something very special about taking students into wild places. Senses engage. Eyes open. Learning clicks in. The John Muir Award is all about this experience.
The John Muir Award is a nationally recognized environmental award scheme which encourages people to take greater responsibility for the natural environment by connecting, enjoying and caring for wild places. Participants complete four challenges: discover a wild place, actively explore it, do something to conserve it, and share their experiences. Meeting these challenges can be linked with the National Curriculum and support Eco-Schools activity.
The John Muir Award is an effective way to engage students in key environmental topics within the Eco-Schools programme such as biodiversity or school grounds through hands on connection with nature and holistic thinking. Celebrating individual achievement lies at the heart of the Award. Its flexible framework helps teachers and other providers tailor projects to meet individual learning styles and diverse aims. In a school context, the Award is best suited for small groups of students in Year 6 or above. With three progressive levels, students have the chance to challenge themselves and develop at their own pace as the time commitment and the level of responsibility grows.
Wild places can be anywhere with a sense of wildness, and where biodiversity and wildlife will benefit from practical action. A group of dedicated students at Ox Close Primary School in Spennymoor, County Durham are involved with the Award in their on-site eco-garden. With the help of a Country Park Ranger, the action group are conducting a comprehensive survey of the animals and plants currently using the space. This information will be used to design and create habitats to encourage more native species onto their school grounds. The local community and the school body are looking forward to exploring the eco-garden’s new features in a celebratory sharing event this summer. This Silver Award Eco-School has found the John Muir Award complements their journey towards Green Flag status and showcases individual students’ journeys as well.
To find out what the John Muir Award can offer your school and for details about your regional manager go to www.johnmuiraward.org
