Dr Laura MacKenzie is one of four UK teachers who has been asked to contribute to a European Parliament educational project.
Working in collaboration with Allways Making, a creative media company, Dr MacKenzie was tasked with designing a series of six lesson plans for 16 to 18-year-olds on the European Union. Topics included: geography; democracy; rights, benefits and obligations; everyday life; environment; shared culture.
The aim of the series is to engage pupils across the UK in the wider world of European affairs and to show them that, despite Brexit, the EU remains a place of opportunity for young people. Pupils should leave the lessons having learned something of the EU and feel excited about what they can do to make their voices heard on Europe-wide issues that affect them.
As part of the creative process, Lower Sixth Form pupils in the Government and Politics department were involved in testing the draft lessons. They played a crucial role in testing how the lessons work from the point of view of young people, and had an opportunity to share their thoughts on engagement, understanding and interest.
The finished project will include the six lessons, as well as a promotional video of the pupils engaging in the lessons, and interviews with the teachers who were involved. It will be available for digital download by teachers across the UK in July.
