More than 185 students from schools across Didcot have vowed to play their part in combating Climate Change by participating in an npower Climate Cops Academy.

Engineers from Didcot Power Station joined pupils from Manor Primary School for a fun day of learning about energy conservation. The group of 61 students from Year 5 was 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.

Pupils and teachers from Manor Primary School were thrilled to welcome the Climate Cop Academy to the school, Head Teacher John Hawkins said “The children really enjoyed the day; it taught them about climate change and saving energy in a fun, engaging way. They’ve learnt some simple ways to conserve energy that will make a big difference to the school, their homes and the environment.”

The Climate Cops also spent a day at Stephen Freeman Primary School and RAF Benson Community Primary School - leading 185 children through a fun packed day, teaching them some simple ways of saving energy and money.

Clare McDougall, head of community and education at npower 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.”

Jim Haggan Didcot A Power Station Manager added, “It is important that our engineers get opportunities to go into schools to support npowers educational programmes. Not only are Climate Cop days fun, they also get messages about electricity production and conservation through to pupils.”

Over 9,800 children took part in Climate Cops Academy days across the UK in 2010 and the programme has reached 38,000 students since it began in November 2007.

The Climate Cops programme travels the length and breadth of the country visiting schools in a bid to help them become greener and follows the Government’s National Framework for Sustainable Schools. Working with local councils, they provide schools with free energy audits and recommendations 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 4 - 7, 7 - 11 and 11-14 year olds that brings education for sustainable development, science, geography and citizenship lessons to life.