Explore this week's solar-powered canoe-inspired assembly and classroom resources here Children are growing up at a time when protecting nature is increasingly important. We all have a part to play, but what that looks like will vary depending on where and how people live. In the Amazon rainforest, communities in Ecuador are finding a way to travel that works for both people and the environment. Powered by the Sun instead of petrol or diesel, solar-powered canoes are making river journeys quieter and less polluting. The story introduces children to life in the Amazon rainforest and offers a real example of what protecting nature can look like in different parts of the world. This week’s Picture News story asks: how can we travel while protecting nature? Exploring sustainable travel through a primary school assembly discussion For communities living in remote parts of the Amazon, rivers connect people to schools, hospitals, family and essential supplies. This week’s story gives children a different perspective on travel and the important role it can play in people’s everyday lives. By exploring how the Achuar people are combining their knowledge of the rainforest with solar technology, children can see how new ideas can respond to local needs while protecting the environment. The story shows how people and nature can thrive together when solutions are shaped around both. Assembly resource used to support discussion about solar-powered canoes, river travel and protecting nature PSHE and classroom discussion in primary schools This story encourages children to think about where energy comes from and the impact different choices can have on the world around us. Resource 1 explores renewable energy, helping children understand how sunlight, wind and moving water can meet everyday needs while creating less pollution. Resource 2 broadens the discussion by introducing children to different ways people travel around the world. As they compare examples from London, Medellín, Kochi and Kigali, they are encouraged to consider why transport choices are not the same everywhere and what factors might influence them. Resources supporting discussion about renewable energy and how communities around the world are changing the way people travel to protect nature Questions to support classroom discussion Why might rivers be important routes for people living in the Amazon rainforest? What are the benefits of using solar-powered canoes? How can renewable energy help people meet everyday needs while protecting nature? Why might different places need different travel solutions? What can affect the way people choose to travel? Do you think changing the way people travel can make a meaningful difference to the environment? Why? Using current events in primary school assemblies and lessons Today’s children will grow up in a world shaped by what happens to places like the Amazon, making it increasingly important that they understand why the rainforest matters, the challenges it faces and the part people around the world can play in protecting it. Our recent live assembly gave children the opportunity to journey into the heart of the Amazon rainforest with Chumpi Washikiat, a respected elder and leader of the Achuar Indigenous Nation in Ecuador. Children heard directly from Chumpi about life in one of the world’s most extraordinary rainforests, why the Amazon means so much to his community and why we can all play a part in protecting it. Watch the recording here The reflection page supports the final part of the assembly, helping to draw together learning Explore this resource further here
