1.5 MAX

Did you enjoy the summit? Yes

Was there content in the summit that was new to you and you could learn from? Yes

I thought the video stories were excellent and I intend to pass these onto my colleagues for use elsewhere around the school.

Did the summit inspire you? Yes

Through participating in 1.5 MAX I realised just how compassionate and willing to make a change my young people are. They were all so motivated and had so many great ideas. I feel as a school we have not been offering enough opportunities for the pupils to be active in the fight against climate change so our pupil sustainability group will be starting up after the October holidays.

Did you have a chance to teach things you would not otherwise get to touch on in detail? Yes

I think mostly what surprised me was the benefit of leaving the pupils to brainstorm. I feel that we are often cut short by a 50 minute period, and when left to generate ideas both independently and collaboratively (we used jamboard for the first time which we all loved!) the pupils did great things. I will definitely try to build this into my teaching more in the future.

To what extent did you get a chance to connect with your own values as a teacher during the summit? (1-5): 5

It gave us all an opportunity to reflect on our own lives, morals and beliefs and share them with each other. I think we were all quite candid and that contributed to some really honest and valuable discussion.

Can you see yourself incorporating any of the summit content into your day-to-day practice? Yes

It definitely made me more confident on my knowledge of issues surrounding climate change. I discuss these issues regularly being a science teacher and now I will be able to speak with much more conviction and point the pupils in the direction of further resources so that they can educate themselves further.

Do you think your students enjoyed the summit?(1-5): 4

I think the pupils really enjoyed getting to see that there were other young people, like them all over the world, also working towards the same goals. I think that they found this really inspiring. They enjoyed getting to be creative and having their ideas discussed and validated.

How much do you think your students learned during the summit? (1-5): 4

I think they were both shocked and inspired by what they learned. They couldn't believe how serious the impacts of climate change in some places already, and were devastated that it is the communities that contribute the least that are often the most vulnerable. I think it really opened their eyes, and then being able to work together to form solutions was really empowering and made them feel like they have the ability to affect change.

Were your students used to working together in small groups, as was required throughout the summit? Yes

The pupils often work in groups, however I think what was different about this was that they were sometimes working with people they usually wouldn't.

Do you think this will change the way your students see things and how they will act in the future? Yes

From reading the pupils reflections on the summit, many pupils are inspired and excited to get involved with our sustainability group.

Were your students inspired by their experiences? Yes

I think it is best I share on participating pupils words here (this is only half of her reflection!): The 1.5 max summit has been an inspirational experience which has expanded my knowledge about climate change and the devastating consequences it’s having around the world. We are not facing the most extreme effects of climate change- this is one of the main reasons why many people still believe that 'climate change isn’t happening’ or ‘it would have happened anyway so why should we change the way we live?'. It’s disgusting how people are ignorant enough to say that we shouldn’t change how we live when others are facing extreme droughts, flooding, wildfires and more; all of which are eating up the livelihoods (and often the lives) of those around the world who have no choice but to try to live with the ever-growing problem as the western world waves away their cries for help. This is the main thing I took away from the summit; we need to be doing more to educate those around us as by working together, we have the power to secure not only our future and the future of those who are losing everything to climate change.

How could we, as organisers, improve communication with teachers next time? Perhaps separate meeting times for general Q&A and set agenda items as quite often I feel that action points were diluted by discussion that was not so high importance. I think whatsapp was great for getting info out quickly, but again sometimes I feel important messages were lost in the general discussion.

To what extent did you feel prepared to run the event? (1-5): 4

This was nothing that could have been fixed, but I felt rushed off my feet in preparing for the summit whilst on a minimum non-contact timetable and being a relatively new teacher!

What is needed to ensure 1.5 MAX has a lasting impact for your pupils? I think the sharing of resources is fantastic as that means I can share them with pupils who are interested in the sustainability group but were unable to participate in the event. I think at this stage it is down to us as teachers to keep the motivation going. It would however be fantastic if this could become a yearly event of sorts.

What is needed to ensure 1.5 MAX has a lasting impact in your school? see above.

Can you see ways you could help us extend the 1.5 MAX project into other schools? Aberdeenshire council is very interested in what we have been doing as they are making a real push towards LfS at the moment. I have been keeping the comms department up to date with our activities so I'm sure once news spreads other schools in our council will be keen to get involved.

Do you think 1.5 MAX should be repeated with other schools? Yes

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Do you think 1.5 MAX should be repeated in your school? Yes

There were many pupils that wanted to be involved but were unable to this time.

Any other advice on the way we do things in the future? Not really, for a first attempt at an event like this I thought it was fantastic. Thank you for all your hard work and well done!

Did you enjoy the summit? Yes

Was there content in the summit that was new to you and you could learn from? Yes

The term '1.5 MAX' was new for me. Sending Problem statement, introductory video and short video of the students on climate change were also new to me. Watching video and writing words and reflection was also new idea. The most new idea was that all the activities had to be uploaded in the wakelet. The summit guide was also well prepared.

Did the summit inspire you? Yes

This kind of summit was new for me. At first, I did not have any idea that how to make my students involve in the summit. Pre- summit sessions became very helpful. Students of different schools and different countries came together and shared their ideas on climate change. This idea inspired me very much.

Did you have a chance to teach things you would not otherwise get to touch on in detail? Yes

Really I got many things and idea from the summit. The topic Climate change is rarely discussed in our school and locality. It has opened my eyes that we should be more conscious to control the effects of climate change. Now I have formed a Eco Club to create awareness on it.

To what extent did you get a chance to connect with your own values as a teacher during the summit? (1-5): 5

Before the summit, I was limited within my locality. Now I have been able to share our problem statement and study others problem statement. I have been feeling myself to be a global citizen.

Can you see yourself incorporating any of the summit content into your day-to-day practice? Yes

Reusing and recycling the waste, using solar, hydro, air energy, saving plants, afforestation ets

Do you think your students enjoyed the summit?(1-5): 5

They enjoyed the entire session for 3 days.

How much do you think your students learned during the summit? (1-5): 5

From the day 1, students involved in different activities and wrote notes and their understanding on the issue Climate Change. So they have learnt many things from the summit.

Were your students used to working together in small groups, as was required throughout the summit? Yes

we divided them 3 groups and make them involve in the activities.

Do you think this will change the way your students see things and how they will act in the future? Yes

During the session as well, students involved cleaning and planting the school garden. They have an Eco club now .They have managed the bins for various types of wastes. I can say that they will apply their learning in their practical life in future.

Were your students inspired by their experiences? Yes

They were really inspired by their experiences. Now they have started to talk about the issue of Climate change with their friends and parents.

How could we, as organisers, improve communication with teachers next time? Event preparation was excellent. Special thank goes to Tom and Haward. I suggest to Zoom apps because it is easy to use and our kids also can handle it.

To what extent did you feel prepared to run the event? (1-5): 5

We had a Whatsapp group. We could ask anytime. The pre-summit sessions were very helpful to me.

What is needed to ensure 1.5 MAX has a lasting impact for your pupils? Regular follow up and organizing awareness campaigns time to time.

What is needed to ensure 1.5 MAX has a lasting impact in your school? We should form a depart for Environment Sector at school. Various programmes related to environment should be conducted at the end of every month . Some budget should also be allocated to run the activities.

Can you see ways you could help us extend the 1.5 MAX project into other schools? Collaboration can be done with local government because up to class 12 is under local government in Nepal. Through local government, we can reach to other schools.

Do you think 1.5 MAX should be repeated with other schools? Yes

It makes students and teacher active. The effects of climate change is every where. So such program should be repeated other schools. It helps the students to learn by doing.

Do you think 1.5 MAX should be repeated in your school? Yes

Only 10 students and three teacher involved in the summit. These students will leave school after passing grade 10. So such program should be repeated time to time in my school.

Any other advice on the way we do things in the future? Summit was splendid and excellent. I suggest that Summit guide should be prepare in various languages like Nepali, Hindi etc so that we will not be confused to carry out the activities.

Did you enjoy the summit? Yes

Was there content in the summit that was new to you and you could learn from? Yes

Hearing other schools perspectives and problems and what they’ve done in their schools and local communities,in Scotland and internationally.

Did the summit inspire you? Yes

Yes & no in that it was inspiring to talk to other teachers across Scotland and share ideas but this was a very small part of the summit and I wasn’t there during all three days so missed some of the videos/talks.

Did you have a chance to teach things you would not otherwise get to touch on in detail? Yes

Definelty don’t get to go into detail and discuss climate emergency issues in history class very often or in this much depth.

To what extent did you get a chance to connect with your own values as a teacher during the summit? (1-5): 4

Can you see yourself incorporating any of the summit content into your day-to-day practice? Yes

If possible…but again, didn’t get to take part in the summit so may have been different if I had.

Do you think your students enjoyed the summit?(1-5): 5

Enjoyed having time to look into, discuss and problem solve.

How much do you think your students learned during the summit? (1-5): 4

The group we have are quite active in different spheres linked to climate change/environmental issues but it was really good for them to work together/to share and to connect to other young people.

Were your students used to working together in small groups, as was required throughout the summit? Yes

Group dynamics were absolutely fine.

Do you think this will change the way your students see things and how they will act in the future? Yes

Think they have been inspired and empowered.. things are in the pipeline now & I hope it continues to be this way!

Were your students inspired by their experiences? Yes

As above.

How could we, as organisers, improve communication with teachers next time? Start with the plan at the very beginning as well as clear outlines of what was involved and who would have to be there as things changed. For most of the meetings, everything was quite hypothetical and I didn’t have a real idea of what was going to happen until the last few weeks when everything kind of came in at once and then things didn’t transpire (e,g cover money) and it did cause quite a lot of stress. I’m sure this won’t be the case in the future as we understand it was a first time thing.

To what extent did you feel prepared to run the event? (1-5): 3

Same as above, was all very last minute in a certain way but we have to learn to let go of control. The issue was, we weren’t to prepare really in one sense, as it has all been organised for us which was great and a big part of the summit, however, with this came some confusion about the real implementation in school, e,g two teachers for the whole three days or not? Cover money or not? Malawi not being provided with money/considered until a few days before the summit etc which was slightly problematic.

What is needed to ensure 1.5 MAX has a lasting impact for your pupils? Not sure,, think the work has been done so time will tell.

What is needed to ensure 1.5 MAX has a lasting impact in your school? Pupils enthusiasm…

Can you see ways you could help us extend the 1.5 MAX project into other schools? Not sure at the moment.

Do you think 1.5 MAX should be repeated with other schools? Yes

Be great for other schools to get the same experience/exposure/opportunity

Do you think 1.5 MAX should be repeated in your school? No

Not at the moment,,, maybe every two years or something but you’d end up with the same kids involved!

Any other advice on the way we do things in the future? Not at the moment,think I’ve already given some comments before. Many thanks for the opportunity, it was stressful but worthwhile! I’m sure you feel the same!

Did you enjoy the summit? Yes

Was there content in the summit that was new to you and you could learn from? Yes

The Happy Planet Index was a new one for me as I'm not a subject specialist in a field that directly teaches the science behind Climate Change - my understanding comes more from personal interest.

Did the summit inspire you? Yes

It was a great way for us to relaunch the Eco-Schools Group in school and it's been a great catalyst for our aim to raise the profile of LfS in the school.

Did you have a chance to teach things you would not otherwise get to touch on in detail? Yes

Please see comments for question 4.

To what extent did you get a chance to connect with your own values as a teacher during the summit? (1-5): 5

Please see comments in question 4.

Can you see yourself incorporating any of the summit content into your day-to-day practice? Yes

It's contributed to a culture shift in the school in terms of recognising the importance of LfS.

Do you think your students enjoyed the summit?(1-5): 4

Really enjoyed it but found the first day a little intense due to the number of meetings/speakers.

How much do you think your students learned during the summit? (1-5): 4

Were your students used to working together in small groups, as was required throughout the summit? Yes

Do you think this will change the way your students see things and how they will act in the future? Yes

Absolutely!

Were your students inspired by their experiences? Yes

Lots of new members for the Eco-Schools Group.

How could we, as organisers, improve communication with teachers next time? Teams meetings could be less regular but longer - really hard to commit and fit in during a recovery year. WhatsApp is OK for immediacy but shouldn't communicate key messages as they can get lost in the ether. Some of the emails/summit documents were very wordy and took a while to consume - perhaps something more streamlined and concise would be better next time. Must look into closed caption options for our overseas schools.

To what extent did you feel prepared to run the event? (1-5): 4

One meeting on the content wasn't quite enough to digest everything. A meeting per day would have been better and operational things could be agreed by poll/email etc.

What is needed to ensure 1.5 MAX has a lasting impact for your pupils? We had pupils create immediate products and long-term plans. The latter will be followed through in the Eco-Schools Group and create that legacy.

What is needed to ensure 1.5 MAX has a lasting impact in your school? We had pupils create immediate products and long-term plans. The latter will be followed through in the Eco-Schools Group and create that legacy.

Can you see ways you could help us extend the 1.5 MAX project into other schools? Social media campaigns or providing training to other schools in order to facilitate something similar in their school, in a flexible way.

Do you think 1.5 MAX should be repeated with other schools? Yes

Yes, but perhaps in a condensed form due to the challenges of cover and pupils in recovery being off timetable for 3 full days.

Do you think 1.5 MAX should be repeated in your school? No

Yes, if we could get different pupils involved but no if it's the same pupils because they miss so much class time.

Any other advice on the way we do things in the future? All mentioned above.

Did you enjoy the summit? Yes

Was there content in the summit that was new to you and you could learn from? Yes

The whole process was new for me and I have taken so much from the videos the group watched to what other schools are doing. I am keen to take forward some of the advice and actions from the schools involved. I am keen to embed what we learned from the summit. It was an amazing opportunity to be involved in.

Did the summit inspire you? Yes

The summit and the group members have inspired me. The plan we have to take forward is workable and I feel activated and motivated to inspire change at NWCC - I do not want our involvement to be just lip service I genuinely want to see action.

Did you have a chance to teach things you would not otherwise get to touch on in detail? Yes

I am a HE teacher and we do teach and practice sustainability this allowed me and my colleague to go into more depth but also to look at sustainability with textiles - we had not done that before. During the summit the school took time to focus on climate change within their subject areas. This demonstrates the backing the school gave the summit - it was certainly the talking point of the school during the summit. There seemed to be a real pride that we were involved in the summit.

To what extent did you get a chance to connect with your own values as a teacher during the summit? (1-5): 5

I am committed to changing my own behaviour towards the planet and climate change out of school but am now looking at more ways to do it in school school. It made me think of others and the consequences of my actions and how it impacts other - the summit has really given me a lot to consider and think about.

Can you see yourself incorporating any of the summit content into your day-to-day practice? No

I am really committed to being more sustainable in the classroom - I am on a mission to reduce food waste/we are being more sustainable with textiles and reusing and recycling. I am not using single use plastic - there is some in the department but I am replacing it with environmentally friendly items. We are focusing on the educational aspect of sustainability and climate change within the curriculum to get the message across to our learners. I am keen to get the climate group up and running to embed the plan the group came up into the day-to-day practice of the school.

Do you think your students enjoyed the summit?(1-5): 5

The feedback from the pupils was just positivity all the way!

How much do you think your students learned during the summit? (1-5): 5

The students learned so much and they reflected on what they were seeing and hearing. It generated lots of stimulating discussions.

Were your students used to working together in small groups, as was required throughout the summit? No

Do you think this will change the way your students see things and how they will act in the future? Yes

The older students applying for university are thinking about careers in the climate change and sustainability sector and this generated a chat about the lack of courses at university about this area.

Were your students inspired by their experiences? Yes

The group is keen to get our plan up and running and to form a group to get things under way.

How could we, as organisers, improve communication with teachers next time? I felt everything was fine with the communication. I am new to wakelet and this is something I will use in the future. No issues with me regarding communication.

To what extent did you feel prepared to run the event? (1-5): 5

I am used to running events so this was in my comfort zone. I took the decision to take the group away from the school and I feel this was the best decision as it allowed them to really focus on the tasks without disruption and distractions. The school was very supportive and there were no major issues that caused any problems.

What is needed to ensure 1.5 MAX has a lasting impact for your pupils? We need to set up the group and get the plan moving. The group is keen to do this.

What is needed to ensure 1.5 MAX has a lasting impact in your school? It needs to continue - it needs to be high profile within authorities to ensure it is supported and is embedded across schools.

Can you see ways you could help us extend the 1.5 MAX project into other schools? We could partner up with schools to help them through the process. Perhaps we could run 1.5 Max meetings/activities locally with schools that are within walking distance? We could have 1.5 Max ambassadors in schools to promote the values of 1.5 Max to perhaps primary/nursery learners- the ambassadors could be linked to cluster schools.

Do you think 1.5 MAX should be repeated with other schools? Yes

It is too valuable an experience and message to be ignored.

Do you think 1.5 MAX should be repeated in your school? Yes

I think there is motivation for this to continue.

Any other advice on the way we do things in the future? I feel that the initial group may wish to meet and perhaps reflect on the process and the findings of the survey. From there we can learn from our own experience and the results of the survey to progress with 1.5 Max on a bigger and more adventurous level. We also must consider the pupil feedback and perhaps include some of them in the meetings going forward. Maybe the younger members of our groups could be our ambassadors and they could help to train and mentor younger learners as they progress through school.

Did you enjoy the summit? Yes

Was there content in the summit that was new to you and you could learn from? Yes

I gained a better understanding of the concept of climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies by examining the problem statements and real issues affecting schools across Scotland, Mozambique, Malawi and Nepal. Hearing first hand from other young people affected by our throw away, single use plastic culture was deeply moving and motivational.

Did the summit inspire you? Yes

The summit was inspirational for all involved and the timing of it ahead of the COP 26 was empowering. Now the world is talking about 1.5 Max and our young people are guiding and leading the conversations. Global citizenship and the need to take collective climate action to protect our planet and stop temp risings above 1.5 Max is now centre forward.

Did you have a chance to teach things you would not otherwise get to touch on in detail? Yes

The country comparisons activity and working with young people to analyse and interpret data was a first for me.

To what extent did you get a chance to connect with your own values as a teacher during the summit? (1-5): 5

Working towards a common goal of sustaining and protecting our world and a shared understanding that ‘we are all in this together’ was highlighted through the need to take collective climate action to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change.

Can you see yourself incorporating any of the summit content into your day-to-day practice? Yes

To develop a whole school approach to learning to sustainability and to commit to take action to reduce our use of single use plastics within the school and community.

Do you think your students enjoyed the summit?(1-5): 5

Inspired and empowered.

How much do you think your students learned during the summit? (1-5): 5

The science behind climate change and global warming and the shared issues facing all of us as a result of increased temperatures..

Were your students used to working together in small groups, as was required throughout the summit? Yes

Do you think this will change the way your students see things and how they will act in the future? Yes

The Global Goals Group are committed to raising awareness of the SDG's and the need to take action for a just, fair more equitable world for all.

Were your students inspired by their experiences? Yes

Action plans created and implementing them already.

How could we, as organisers, improve communication with teachers next time? Steep learning curve but I liked all forms, just new to many of them.

To what extent did you feel prepared to run the event? (1-5): 5

Tom and Howard were always available and supportive to problem solve any issue I had. Couldn't have done it without them.

What is needed to ensure 1.5 MAX has a lasting impact for your pupils? Forward shared action plans.

What is needed to ensure 1.5 MAX has a lasting impact in your school? Forward shared action plans built into the improvement plan.

Can you see ways you could help us extend the 1.5 MAX project into other schools? Yes, through cluster primary schools to support P7 transition activities.

Do you think 1.5 MAX should be repeated with other schools? Yes

Roll out across Scotland, link to Eco schools.

Do you think 1.5 MAX should be repeated in your school? Yes

Explore with Senior leadership.

Any other advice on the way we do things in the future? Keep doing what you are doing so well...inspirational. Thank you.