Ex-Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq puts spark into lessons (From The Bolton News)

Ex-Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq puts spark into lessons

8:35am Thursday 9th July 2009 in

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THERE was a real spark to lessons at Clarendon Primary School when former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq took a science lesson.

The television personality brought with her a giant pedal-powered electric buzzer game to explain renewable energy and inspire the next generation of scientists.

She said: “It’s so important the children understand where energy comes from and about the different ways of generating power, as they’ll be the ones looking after the environment in the future.”

Year Three children used their own energy to power a bicycle to create the electricity needed for a giant buzzing machine to work.

The school was one of just three across the country chosen by energy company Eon to take part in the outdoor science lesson as part of its campaign to create an “energy literate generation”.

It was picked because the Great Lever school has built up strong educational links with the power giant in recent years.

Rebecca Bieniaszewska, from the company, said: “We want young people to be aware of renewable energy sources and be able to make decisions about energy, such as energy efficiency.”

Konnie was asked to front the lessons because of her own passion in the subject.

She said: “I’ve always been interested in science — and it was at school where I discovered my love for it — and the giant buzzer is a really fun way for children to learn more about the energy experience first-hand.

“Traditional energy sources are depleted and the next generation need to be aware of this. Hopefully through activities like this we may spark an interest in science with some of these children going on to pursue the subject.”

Deputy headteacher Ann McAtee said: “Children have used their own energy creating power. They may now realise how much work goes into creating energy and conserve it more.”

Youngsters said they had learned how to be a little more green.

Khadija Patel, aged seven, said: “I learned all about different energy sources and how to create it and why it is important not to waste it. It was really fun having Konnie visiting to tell us about energy.”

Abid Malji, aged eight, added: “It was really interesting, I would like to work for Eon and do more research into energy.”