Dr Leigh Hoath provided educational consultancy for BBC Bitesize’s ‘The Regenerators’ Green Classroom resources, advising on the creation of a framework for online lessons that covered six core themes relating to sustainability and the environment.

The Regenerators project is an educational campaign by the BBC which aims to inspire children and teenagers to be environmentally friendly themselves and to encourage others to look after the planet too.

The resources are versatile and are designed to support developing understanding of key issues both at school and at home like the problem with plastics, transport and climate change.

They include lesson plans covering topics across the primary curriculum which can be used to introduce themes and offer context for existing planning within the school. The content can offer a foundation for exploring bigger issues such as how we can make changes in our lives to be more environmentally friendly, making better decisions about the food we eat to reduce waste and saving water and other key resources.

As part of this, Dr Hoath defined learning objectives for each lesson to ensure they were in-line with the primary national curriculum as well as reviewing each online lesson before publication.

Dr Hoath has been working on The Regenerators since October 2020, when she initially focussed on the overview of the home activities before working on the lesson content.

Previously, in 2019, she worked with the BBC on Blue Planet Live to design activities and teacher materials to explore the ocean and its wildlife.

She said: “In light of the sustainability and climate change agenda, it is so important that we are supporting learners and teachers with thinking about what they can do in order to make a difference.

“The Regenerators resources are an easy starting point. They have been put together by a great team from the BBC and writers from a variety of educational settings.”

Dr Hoath, who joined Leeds Trinity University in 2017, recently received a Special Service Award from The Association for Science Education (ASE) in recognition of her support of the association.

Throughout the last 15 years Dr Hoath has been a member of the Yorkshire Region Committee whilst also being the Editor of ASE’s Primary Science Journal for six years until last October.

Dr Duncan Martin, Interim Dean of the Institute of Childhood and Education, said: “As a Senior Professional Practice Fellow, Leigh has achieved so much in her time at Leeds Trinity University across the Institute for Childhood and Education, and in the Teacher Education team.

“Her development and showcasing of excellent teaching and learning in the university and in the science education community has been recognised by the Association for Science Education and the National College.

“We are extremely proud that she is involved in the national educational response to the ecological crisis as explored by her and colleagues in COP 26 in Glasgow and recognise the importance of this work for Leeds Trinity University, the city and region, the wider educational policy arena and the potential impact on future generations.”

More information on the BBC Regenerators project can be found on their website.