GET READY FOR LIFT-OFF WITH GLOBAL EXPLORERS

Christian Aid is launching Global Explorers, a free interactive whiteboard resource for primary schools to raise awareness about global issues, in time for the new school year in September 2009.

Global Explorers, which is designed for 7 – 11 year olds, features real-life stories, photographs, video, audio, lesson plans, worksheets and quizzes. The teachers’ resource focuses on India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Honduras, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Malawi and the UK. More countries and teaching materials will be added every six months.

Global Explorers is introduced online at http://learn.christianaid.org.uk/globalexplorers by a spinning globe and Global Gang’s animated characters navigating a space ship.  The real-life stories and links to Christian Aid’s children’s website www.globalgang.org.uk help children learn how life is in other countries and encourage them to take action to make the world a better place.

Pippa Durn, Children's Publications Manager at Christian Aid, said: ‘It's great that teachers in the UK and Ireland are increasingly being asked to look at global and sustainable development across all subject areas. However, whilst studies show that most teachers feel it is important for young people to develop the ability to take action and challenge injustice, many of them lack confidence doing so.

‘Teachers are looking for good resources that develop critical thinking on global issues and in a format that is new, fresh, exciting and interactive. We tested Global Explorers on students, and they jumped up and down with excitement when the space ship came flying towards them so we are confident that it will become a popular, entertaining and educational tool for teachers.’

Global Explorers is ideal for cross-curricular teaching of Geography/Environmental Studies, RE/RME, and Citizenship/PSHE/PSD/PSE/ESDGC. It covers the following themes:

• water
• climate change  
• comparing lives
• active citizenship
• disasters
• access to food
• healthy eating
• what influences how Christian people act
• the work of a faith-based charity

The Global Explorers materials will also be available in Welsh.

Global Gang's online educational games make learning fun. The site aims to encourage children to see themselves as active members of a global community and illustrates how, when it comes to poverty, there is no 'us and them' - we're all part of one big Global Gang. It is for children aged approximately 7-11 and is run by Christian Aid. www.globalgang.org.uk

Christian Aid works in some of the world's poorest communities in 49 countries. We act where the need is greatest, regardless of religion, helping people build the life they deserve. www.christianaid.org.uk