3 Talking the walk

• Suggested duration: 45-120 mins
• Technique used: Transect walk; walk across the school site, better still across the local neighbourhood.
• Materials required: None
• Aim of activity: To introduce the concept of ‘new value’ and see how innovation can bring social, environmental and economic benefits.
• Underpinning components: UC 7.1; UC 7.3
• Connection with other competences: Action; Futures

Short description

Draw a line (a transect) across a map of the local area between two safe and accessible points – the length of line will depend on the amount of time available. This is the route of your walk. Now plan the walk taking care to avoid hazards and private property while staying as close to the straight line as possible.

Take the class on the walk along the route you have planned together and look for examples or evidence of situations where an improvement might be made. After the walk, ask the class to work in small groups and think of as many ideas as possible for adding new value to their locality.

A more random version would be to ask students to explore an area and take photographs using a smartphone to show their evidence. This puts them in charge but can also reduce the level of creativity required to come up with ideas.