Bucks pupils make ‘light work’ of solar lesson

Glowing Reports: Looking back on a summer of school visits

The showstopping summer offered a great opportunity to welcome local children for an educational day out on the solar farm over the summer.

Over April and May, we welcomed hundreds of local pupils to the solar farm as part of our ongoing commitment to equip the next generation with the knowledge to help mitigate the impact of climate change, and learn about the natural world.

Every part of the programme such as coach travel, materials and delivery, is funded by Gawcott Solar, and delivered in partnership with environmental education specialists Earth Energy Education.

Each visit focused on two things: a hands-on look at how solar works, and time exploring the biodiversity of the farm. Children got up close with panels, while learning about how sunlight is harvested and converted into energy. This was followed by a ‘bug hunt’ for hedgerow species, invertebrates and butterflies; learning along the way about why a working solar farm can also be a thriving habitat.

It was a busy summer; welcoming classes from Buckingham Primary School, Maids Moreton CofE, St James & St John CE Primary School, Lace Hill Academy, Bourton Meadow Academy & Nursery, Buckingham Secondary School and Roundwood Primary School – seven schools in total, spanning ages from early primary right through to secondary. We also hosted a separate visit from the Buckingham University of the Third Age (U3A), who suggested some great community benefit ideas.

During a visit from Buckingham Secondary School, Gawcott Director, Gabby Mallett gave the class a Solar Farm in a Box kit so they can keep exploring solar energy back in the classroom. The kit includes solar cell circuits, multimeters, anemometers and luxmeters for the Power Your School lesson. It also comes with wildflower seeds for the school grounds.

“Solar doesn’t have to stop at the farm gate. This box means students can keep asking questions and finding answers long after we’ve gone.” – Gabby Mallet, Director, Gawcott Solar

Gawcott Solar will keep running school visits and we’re looking at new ways to explain electricity to pupils and hoping to supply kits so schools can build solitary bee banks and wildflower meadows. We’re also working with schools (within our 5km community benefit radius) with the aim of helping to fund rooftop solar for all of them.

If you represent a local school or community group that would like to take advantage of a funded solar visit, please contact hello@gawcottsolar.co.uk