Inspiring the Next Generation of Green Innovators
Green jobs are essential for the future, playing a vital role in protecting our environment and managing natural resources. Many of these roles contribute directly to preventing climate change, making them an exciting and impactful career choice for young people.
At Poltair School, we recognise the importance of educating our students about the changes happening in our world, the efforts being made to manage these changes, and the career opportunities that sustainable technologies can offer. Recently, we had the privilege of welcoming Jess Burton, Pre-16 Careers and Pathways Manager - Green Skills from Cornwall College (Camborne), to deliver a thought-provoking assembly to our Year 9 students.
Jess’s presentation focused on alternative energies, sustainable environments, and the rapidly expanding field of green careers. She highlighted the innovative opportunities emerging in the job market due to new technologies and how these advancements are shaping the way we design and construct buildings, develop transport solutions, and capture renewable energy.
Following the assembly, Jess joined two Year 9 Design Technology classes for an engaging hands-on workshop, bringing solar-powered car kits for students to build. This practical activity allowed students to experience firsthand how sunlight can be transformed into energy to power vehicles.
Jess explained, “The first activity we do in my workshops is a challenge that relies on the learners’ innovation and initiative. The renewables industry and sustainable development need young people to think outside the box and experiment with new ideas to help us achieve a truly sustainable future. The goal of this session was to build a solar car and work collaboratively to win a race against their peers. Students were given a selection of wheels, motors, and solar panels but no further instructions – they had to figure out how to assemble their vehicle using teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Luckily, we had a bright and sunny morning, perfect for testing the cars! The excitement and amazement on the students’ faces when their cars started moving was fantastic. Once we had a winner, I challenged them to race uphill, requiring them to think critically about wheel placement, panel positioning, and even reversing the wiring to maximise solar energy absorption. After the race, teams worked together to connect their vehicles, creating impressive solar-powered trains. The moral of this story? If a group of Year 9 students can build and power solar cars before lunchtime, the potential of young people is truly limitless.”
Mr. Martin, our Design Technology teacher, reflected on the success of the session, saying, “The students worked really well and enjoyed finding creative solutions to the problems presented to them. They demonstrated great teamwork and resilience, continuously adapting their designs to improve speed and efficiency. It was a fantastic hands-on learning experience.”
We are looking forward to working with Jess again and providing more students with the opportunity to explore and develop their green skills. As we continue to inspire the next generation of innovators, we are confident that our students will play a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable future for all.