ABOUT 85 pupils from Preston Lodge High School have teamed up with social enterprise group Fuel Change to create bespoke solutions to current climate issues.

Fuel Change, launched in 2020, is a social enterprise focused on creating a carbon-neutral future for the next generation, designed by the next generation, through skills development.

The team at Fuel Change visited Preston Lodge during its induction week for pupils who will be moving into S6 next month.

Fuel Change challenged the students to develop and present green solutions to common sustainability challenges, such as fast fashion and car use.

The group activities encouraged the pupils to apply creative solutions to these real-life challenges – increasing their skills and knowledge of sustainability concepts such as the circular economy and behavioural change at the same time.

The Super Sprint Challenge is part of Fuel Change’s Challenge Programme.

The programme for schools aims to embed climate education into the core learning curriculum and develops student skills and behaviours for a sustainable future.

From its base in Falkirk, Fuel Change has ambitions to roll out the Challenge Programme to every school and college in Scotland.

Anna Bell, programme co-ordinator at Fuel Change, said: “Preston Lodge is a trailblazer in climate education and action, and Fuel Change are pleased to have had a very positive and proactive relationship with the school over the last year to engage and empower students on these vital subjects.

“All the students got stuck into the Super Sprint Challenge and created some amazing solutions and ideas to what are real-life sustainability problems.

“It was fantastic working with this exemplary group of students and Fuel Change looks forward to continuing this relationship with Preston Lodge in the future.”

Gavin Clark, headteacher at Preston Lodge High School said: “The Super Sprint Challenge was a key part of our S6 Induction programme this year.

“It gave our new S6 the chance to get to know each other whilst engaging with really big, thought-provoking and important issues.

“The materials were excellent and the whole event had a lively, purposeful feel, which was perfect for what we needed.

“We were delighted to work with Fuel Change in bringing this important programme to Preston Lodge, and look forward to more of our pupils taking part in the School Challenge programme in future years.”

In addition to the school and college programmes, Fuel Change is aiming to engage the next generation of Scotland’s employees through the bespoke workplace challenge programme, which encourages young participants working in Scottish businesses to develop innovative but practical solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues.