To mark World Car Free Day today (22 September) and Great Big Green Week, the Lake District National Park’s learning team has launched a new teaching resource for children.

The free online guide explores the climate emergency, sustainable travel and the impact of car travel on the Lake District and is now available for teachers and young people.

Developed in partnership with STEM First, the teacher resource is for top end Key Stage two and lower Key Stage three STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) skills, in the classroom or as homework.

Students complete five challenges looking at sustainable travel to and around the Lake District National Park.

Lake District National Park Authority’s learning manager, Ruth Suddaby said: “The resource brings together a range of STEM activities to really get pupils and teachers discussing what makes the Lake District special and why it’s so important that we take action now to protect our landscape for future generations.

“It highlights one of the main areas we have to work on, which is to encourage more sustainable travel to and around the Lake District. This is a great starting point for children of all ages to begin to think about their actions and how they are affecting the climate emergency.

“What’s heartening is that children are keen to adapt, and they quickly learn that by making small changes, like encouraging their family to walk to school instead of taking the car, that they can make huge changes to the future of their planet.”

Helen Heggie, STEMFirst director and STEM ambassador hub Lancashire and Cumbria, added: “The UK has a STEM skills shortage and it is only by making Science and Engineering relevant, educating young people about STEM in the world, can they understand the importance of what they learn in school and can see how they can make a difference.”

Also taking place during Great Big Green Week are a number of Great Green Action Days at the Lake District Visitor Centre, Brockhole. Primary aged pupils are visiting to learn more about the natural environment and how they can help play their part in protecting it.

Great Big Green Week is running from 18 – 24 September 18 to 24 to celebrate action on climate change.

International Car Free Day is a global event to encourage drivers to give up their cars for a day and use public transport, ride a bike, walk or do something more creative.

Take a look at the new resource here.