Change Makers programme uses art, Manchester University researchers, creative thinkers, and pupil voice to explore issue-based learning that intends to make positive difference in communities. Changemakers was a co-created partnership with staff from the Whitworth, 12 ‘Year 5’ children from Abraham Moss Primary and artist, Hattie Konguanruan developing a brand-new workshop for other schools to engage with for academic year 2023/24 on the subject of ‘Climate’.
We began the project in November 2022 by exploring areas like – What a typical artist led workshop session looks, feels and entails and what materials and resources we consider using along with how many pupils can we expect welcome in for each artist led workshop.
Exploring meanings of co-creation together whilst entertaining activity ideas which included mood trees for children to illustrate and write down concerns on the environment. Re-designing park spaces and investigating attitudes to green spaces and writing manifestos – pledges to ourselves on what difference we can make as individuals, working together and the impact we achieve both locally and globally.
The results were very evident, a new cohort of young activists who now have a platform to share their findings and implement change back at their own schools and beyond.
The cohort of 12 pupils interrogated and developed understandings of attitudes to green spaces. Who controls our parks, who benefits and ideas around usership. They grew awareness of wildlife and its habitat understanding the needs to preserve and protect these green spaces in cities.
The 12 action researchers in the group disseminated their learning to whole school assemblies and developed observation, speaking, and listening skills as well as improved literacy
‘This shows how your project has deeply impacted the children’s core values about the environment and how the project has impacted their writing too.
I am so very proud of how the children independently have incorporated the project into their writing. Teacher, Abraham Moss
There were several key impacts on the children. They developed new skills in research, questioning and leadership. Evidence of this was observed through pupils wanting to share their new expertise. They wished to disseminate their learning though presentations to pupils and became advocates for environmental issues. Children sought frequent interaction with others and through peer led learning, made difficult and important choices for their new workshop based off written and designed content. A remarkable achievement for all the children now flying the flag for green issues.
To book our Changemakers Climate workshop – please email steven.roper@manchester.ac.uk
Cost £160 – 2hr session
Our project linked to a wider Climate Change initiative led by Manchester’s cultural education partnership MADE. Our work was part of the working in partnership strand that aims to develop partnerships rooted in action research and enquiry methodologies that explore and evidence the impact of a creative curriculum in Manchester schools.
Gathering of Strangers 