A group of 90 children from year five were shown some simple ways to save energy in an exciting and engaging way. The interactive day was filled with activities including generating electricity with body movement, working with miniature examples of renewable energy sources, using thermal imaging cameras to see how much heat is emitted from the human body and the effects of insulation. Around 8,600 children took part in 140 Climate Cops Academy days across the UK in 2008 and the programme aims to reach 300 schools by the end of 2009.

Clare McDougall, npower’s education programme director, is delighted with the enthusiastic response by teachers and pupils, saying: “It’s wonderful that the Climate Cops programme is helping schools across the UK to become greener and more sustainable and is inspiring young people to get involved in energy efficiency, themselves.”

The Climate Cops programme follows the Government’s National Framework for Sustainable Schools, providing some schools – selected by the Local Authority – with ‘green makeovers’, including free energy audits to help them to reduce their carbon footprint. The programme forms a key part of the npower Brighter Futures education programme, which aims to inspire young people from their first day at school to their first day at work.

Teachers and children can go to the Climate Cops website for interactive games and downloadable activities. Teachers can also visit the education site to order their free copy of the creative Climate Cops resources for four to seven, seven to 11 and 11-14 year olds that brings education for sustainable development, science, geography and citizenship lessons to life.