The Energy Trail

An innovative energy trail which will teach youngsters about eco-friendly ways of generating power was launched in July at the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Headquarters HQ, the Wolseley Centre. The Wolseley Centre is located just outside Rugeley on the banks of the river Trent and its grounds and visitor centre is open to the general public.

The trail is made up of a number of features including a small wind turbine, solar panels and two water wheels as well as other models and artefacts which will be used to demonstrate sustainable energy to visiting school groups.

The project is the result of a partnership between the Trust and Rugeley Power Station, who secured £15,000 towards the installation of the trail from International Power’s Flagship Award.

Station engineers and apprentices, together with power station contractors Promanex helped to source, build and install the features with the assistance of energy education consultant Rob Farr, the Energy MC2.

Want to book a visit?

A full day education programme has been developed for the trail in which students look at solar energy and mechanical energy. Please note there is a charge for this programme. For more details and information about prices please contact Lynsey Eastwood at the Trust on 01889 880105 or l.eastwood@staffs-wildlife.org.uk
You can also check out the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust website.

The Launch Event

The following schools sent pupils to celebrate the launch on the 20th July 2011:

• Redbrook Hayes Primary, Rugeley
• Churchfields Primary , Rugeley
• The Croft Primary, Armitage
• Highfields Primary, Burntwood
• St. Filumena’s, Caversawall

Pupils and teachers at John Bamford Primary School in Rugeley also had the opportunity to get involved in the project when they attended a successful pilot of the programme in May.

Pupils from the schools had the chance to get stuck into some of the hands-on activities such as making their own water wheels and using the hand cranked generator to make light bulbs light up.

Feedback from the event was really positive:

“It was friendly and well organised. It was a privilege to be here.”

“It was thoroughly enjoyed by all and very well organized—thank you!”

“This is the way forward in education.”

“It was great fun and you don’t realize you are learning.”

“Great fun—our world needs to know about things like solar energy.”

“I loved being outdoors to learn.”