The Earthworks project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and executed by The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership, enlisted OASES to lead the School of Rocks initiative. This educational endeavour involved four primary schools situated just outside the North Pennines AONB, delving into their own geological and coal mining heritage and contrasting it with the lead mining legacy of the AONB area. The program’s core objective was to illuminate how variations in Carboniferous geology, particularly ore deposits, shaped the distinct social, economic, and environmental traits of these regions.
OASES was entrusted with crafting six tailored half-day sessions meticulously designed to align with the National Curriculum and cater to the unique needs of each school and its locale. The participating primary schools embarked on a transformative journey, commencing with engaging sessions focused on local rocks. Subsequent activities encompassed immersive experiences such as oral history tours exploring geological features and coal mining heritage, enlightening visits to Killhope Lead Mining Museum to compare local geology and coal mining legacy with that of the AONB, and hands-on conservation efforts centered around their region’s geological heritage.
Culminating in impactful presentations, wherein each class created compelling PowerPoint showcases to share their discoveries with the broader school or local community, the students actively pursued the discover, conserve, explore, and share elements of the John Muir Award. Through this immersive program, young learners not only unearthed the rich geological history of their surroundings but also fostered a deeper understanding of their heritage, fostering a profound connection with their environment.
