From September 2024 to July 2025, Jen James, Awel Aman Tawe’s Education Outreach programme lead brought together over 3,000 pupils to explore energy, climate change, food, nature, and creativity in ways that were bold, inclusive, and unforgettable.
Across Newport, Pembrokeshire, and Swansea, pupils became warriors — not with swords or shields, but with curiosity, compassion, and creativity. They became analysts, detectives, communicators, and changemakers. They ran assemblies, marched for the planet, built exhibitions, designed nature trails, and interviewed caretakers and business managers about energy use.
“I didn’t know I could do something about climate change,” said one pupil from Newport. “Now I’ve told my whole school how to save energy. I even got my dad to turn off the heating!”
Art, Nature and an Arctic Explorer
Art is at the heart of the programme. On A Sensory Story of Energy, pupils with additional learning needs worked with incredible artists — Ami Marsden, Sian Lester, Sion Tomos Owen, Mr Phormula, and the team from Mess Up the Mess — to turn their energy reduction ideas and knowledge into murals, music, puppetry and sculpture.
“Pupils’ everyday language in the classroom changed to being more proactive about climate change and sustainability. They were turning lights off, discussing whether the school heating needed to be on and generally more aware of the impact we have individually as well as a school community” said STF Manager, Penyrheol Comprehensive School, Mrs Ceri Metcalf.
“I have no words for the expressions on the children’s faces today. Ed even managed to do a short session for each class at the end of the day. Looking forward to hearing the final rap. Thank you so much for the opportunity. The children (& staff!) think they are also Beatboxers now.” Mrs Emily Lewis, Expressive Arts Lead, Ysgol Calon Lan.
In Pembrokeshire, Forest School Child of the Earth brought wild learning to life at the Field of Beans creating food and nature trails with Ysgol Bro Ingli and Sian Lester helped pupils forage, dye fabrics with plants and create beautifully patterned textile pieces.
“These experiences encourage pupils to engage with sustainability initiatives and understand the importance of a waste-free world. By participating in environmentally conscious activities, pupils develop a sense of responsibility towards their surroundings, and an awareness of how their actions contribute to a more sustainable future.” Mr Sion Davies, Ysgol Bro Ingli.
In Newport, pupils imagined and created their own Energy Warrior mural characters with Sion Tomos Owen a constant reminder that anyone can protect the plant.
Science Meets Storytelling
The programme didn’t stop at art. It embraced STEM with gusto. In partnership with Swansea University, over 450 pupils took part in a record-breaking online Battery Coin Experiment. In Newport, pupils met explorers and scientists through Wicked Weather Watch, hearing firsthand about the impact of climate change.
Nanou Blair Gould reached over 1,500 pupils in one year, sharing her story of life on the ice and the urgent reality of climate change, inspiring awe and action. “I want to be an explorer too,” said a pupil from Pembrokeshire. “But I want to explore how to fix the planet.”
Food Warriors and Potato Skins
In Pembrokeshire, pupils became Food Warriors, weighing food waste, promoting local produce, and launching campaigns like Pennar Community School’s Great Potato Skin Campaign. They met with the Future Generations Commissioner’s Office and organisations like Bluestone, Car y Môr, Ffynnon Resilience and Cwmarian to learn how food choices shape the future.
Energy Sparks and Real Impact
Thanks to support from Microsoft Community Fund, two Newport schools — Maes Ebbw School and Ysgol Gwent is Coed — became Energy Ambassadors. They worked with Energy Sparks to reduce energy use, learn from scientists, and raise awareness through art and conferences.
Across Pembrokeshire and Newport, 61 schools accessed Energy Sparks to understand their energy consumption. The results were astonishing: 600 tonnes of CO₂ saved from entering the atmosphere.
In Pembrokeshire, Pennar Community School topped the Energy Sparks scoreboard in Wales with over 1,000 points. That means that they took part in a lot of energy saving activities.
Two-thirds of schools reduced their energy use. Puncheston and Golden Grove cut electricity by 10%, Mary Immaculate by 17%. Narberth reduced gas use by 24%, Ysgol Bro Ingli by 23%.
In Newport, Caerleon Comprehensive cut gas use by 17%, Lliswerry Primary by 26%. Eco clubs worked tirelessly to reduce baseloads, with Bassaleg and Caerleon leading the way.
“I didn’t think turning off a light could matter,” said one pupil. “Now I know it does. And I tell everyone.”
Awards and Recognition
The impact didn’t go unnoticed. Pennar Community School won Keep Wales Tidy’s Innovation Challenge, inspired by The Earthshot Prize. Ysgol Crug Glas won the Matt Bunt Award for Eco School Excellence at the 2025 Keep Wales Tidy Awards.
Saundersfoot Primary School won£500 from the Primary Awards for GReen Education in Schools from We are Energy Waste Warriors project with artists Sian Lester and Nia Lewis.
A Sensory Celebration
The Wind, Sun, Tides, Repeat exhibition at Volcano Theatre was a highlight — a sensory explosion of colour, sound, texture and scent. Pupils from Ysgol Crug Glas and Penyrheol Comprehensive School created immersive installations that travelled to Maes Ebbw School in Newport and Pennar Community School in Pembrokeshire.
Visitors were moved. Conversations sparked. Pupils led the way.
“One of the most beautiful parts of this project was how we made it authentic for our learners. It wasn’t about facts and figures – it was about feeling the wind on their faces, touching leaves, exploring textures of natural and recycled materials, dancing like the waves, feeling the heat of the sun or listening to the sounds of the Earth. We gave them choices. They decided what to create, how to share it, and how to show others what matters to them. They became the leaders. Their joy and confidence grew as they realised their actions – like turning off lights or reusing bottles – do help protect the planet.” Mrs Emily Lewis, Ysgol Crug Glas.
From potato skins to power-down days, from Arctic explorers to shadow puppets, We Are Energy Warriors was more than a programme. It was a call to action. A celebration of young voices. A reminder that change begins with curiosity — and that every pupil, no matter their ability or background, has the power to protect our planet.