The Somerset Waste Action Programme (SWAP) offers a variety of FREE activities to secondary schools. Choose from an assembly or one of our subject specific workshops. We cover citizenship, geography, science and design technology at both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. If you teach another subject and think that the waste topic links in with what you are doing, give us a ring and we will try to sort something out for you.

Wake up to Waste - All ages

An introductory look at the problems associated with landfill. Students learn why to follow the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) and get to have a go at a couple of entertaining activities.

Perfect Packed Lunch - KS3

A card sorting activity gets students to think about the choices we make in the supermarket.  How could they reduce, reuse and recycle more of the packaging in their own packed lunch?

The Packaging Problem - KS4

Students look at consumer responsibility with regards to reducing the amount of packaging waste that is generated in the UK.  Should consumers, manufacturers or the government take responsibility?

Junk Jury Role-Play - KS3

Students take on the role of villagers at a Parish Council meeting.  They have to put forward their opinions on a waste disposal facility that is planned for the area.

2100– A Waste Odyssey - KS3

A fun workshop looking at how our actions now could cause major environmental problems in the future.  Students think about the preventative measures that we should currently be working on.

Electric! -  KS3

This workshop looks at the history of energy; how did we use to cope before electricity?  Students find out how much juice modern gadgets use and calculate their own ecological footprint.

Cut the Carbon Quiz -  KS3+4

In this workshop students work in teams to try and reduce their carbon emissions by as much as possible.  As the time ticks by which team will be energy savvy enough to cut their carbon the most?

How Green is this Product? -  KS4

In this highly interactive workshop students discuss the whole life-cycle of a product and how the choices made by designers can have wide-reaching consequences for the environment.

Fantastic Plastic?  - KS4

Plastic has made a massive contribution to modern living but at what cost to the environment? Students do a plastic sort, a true and false quiz and then discuss solutions to the carrier bag problem.

Disposal Debate - KS4+5

Find out about the controversial “Pay as you Throw” schemes.  Should we do this in the UK or not?  Students develop arguments for and against and then debate the options.

Sustainability is the Solution -   KS4+5

To see how each workshop links to the National Curriculum please click here.

Most workshops take around an hour but we will aim to fit in with your timetabling.

To find out about SWAP assemblies click here.

The SWAP team is based at the Carymoor Environmental Centre near Castle Cary. This unusual site is Somerset's first Eco-Centre , and is built on a capped, recovered landfill site. It is situated next to the working landfill at Dimmer, putting the team in a unique position to explain and promote these themes in schools. Site visits and tours are also available by arrangement; please contact Graham Jennings on 01963 350786.

SWAP is funded by the Somerset Waste Partnership and is delivered in partnership with the Carymoor Environmental Trust.