9 ways to inspire students about sustainability in the classroom
The Chester Zoo Conservation Education and Engagement Team
Sustainable palm oil: Bringing responsible sourcing to life
Academic learning is so much more powerful when it inspires us to understand and help protect the world around us.
The time we spend in school shapes how we will interpret our environment once we leave the classroom. It’s our first opportunity to appreciate the issues and challenges that face our planet, from climate change to sustainable sourcing.
Sourcing ingredients responsibly is critical for our planet and the next generation. Equipping and educating young people with the information to help make responsible choices about the products they use, and the sustainability of the ingredients inside them, is something teachers can do to build this knowledge in the classroom.
Why sustainable palm oil?
Palm oil is one of the most widely used vegetable oils today. It is found in up to 50% of products in UK supermarkets, in everything from food to cosmetics. So it plays a significant role in our daily lives – even if we don’t realise it.
But it can have a negative impact on the environment when not produced sustainably, threatening the forests and wildlife in areas it is grown like Borneo and Sumatra.
Thankfully, sustainable palm oil (SPO), which doesn’t contribute to deforestation or habitat loss, is widely available. According to the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), palm oil is an incredibly efficient crop, requiring up to 10 times less land to produce compared to other vegetable oils.
It’s also vital to local communities and the economies of sourcing countries. We all use and consume products that contain palm oil, so it is a very relevant topic when teaching about responsible sourcing and sustainability.
A lesson on sustainable palm oil can cover everything from rainforests to biodiversity and understanding different cultures. It can teach children to become informed consumers and advocates of positive change.
And finally, it’s fun! From orangutans and rainforests to how we make food and shampoo – the topic of palm oil is an opportunity to learn so much about the wild and wonderful world we live in.
Bringing responsible sourcing to life in your classroom
- English – Writing for change
Students can harness the power of words to advocate for SPO, improving their descriptive and persuasive writing skills. Highlight that palm oil is the most land-efficient vegetable oil. Explain that using alternatives like soy or sunflower oil would require up to 10 times more land, potentially causing more significant biodiversity issues elsewhere. Ideas include crafting a newspaper report about the effect of deforestation on the rainforest and its animals or writing persuasive letters to supermarket CEOs advocating for the sale of RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil)-certified sustainable palm oil products.
- Art and Design – Connecting emotionally
Art helps students visually communicate their understanding of key topics, express emotions and learn about different cultures. Encourage your students to dive into the vibrant world of Batik art, a traditional craft in Malaysia, one of the world’s largest palm oil producers. Malaysia is a leading producer of palm oil and has increasingly adopted sustainable practices to protect its rainforests and wildlife. Sustainable palm oil helps protect endangered species by maintaining their natural habitats, contributing to conservation efforts.
- Design and Technology – Hands-on learning
The RSPO certification ensures that palm oil production adheres to strict environmental and social criteria, reducing deforestation and protecting biodiversity. Bring this to life for the students by making the rainforest pop up in your classroom. Through hands-on research with tubing, balloons and pipettes, students can design and construct a dynamic sustainable palm oil rainforest scene that springs to life with the push of a plunger.
- Physical education – Dancing for change
Movement can engage students physically and emotionally, making dance a powerful metaphor for environmental change. Students can express the rainforest’s story through movement by crafting a dance that conveys the emotions of the rainforest’s inhabitants as they face the challenges of their changing home, and how positive change can be made through choosing sustainable palm oil.
- Music – Rhythms of the rainforest
Students create a rainforest soundscape using instruments and voices, mimicking animals and rustling leaves. This fun activity fosters creativity, collaboration, and appreciation for the rainforest’s interconnectedness. Sustainable palm oil helps protect forests and biodiversity.
- Computing – Animating awareness
Combine the digital realm and the natural world by getting students to create stop-frame animations that highlight their sustainable palm oil learning. This activity will seamlessly bridge creativity, the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively and digital literacy.
- Science – Understanding ecosystems
Investigating rainforest habitats shows students how deforestation for palm oil threatens biodiversity. Understanding ecological systems empowers them as informed global citizens. Research by Chester Zoo shows sustainable palm oil plantations can coexist with rich biodiversity if managed correctly.
- Geography – Mapping impact
Geography links classroom learning to global issues. Explore regions in Southeast Asia like Borneo and Sumatra, to identify and understand key features of palm oil rainforests. They’ll learn the differences between sustainable and non-sustainable palm oil regions, which often include buffer zones and wildlife corridors to protect biodiversity.
- History – Reawakening the past
The rainforest has a unique history. Have students re-enact its evolution, the impact of deforestation, and the positive effects of sustainable palm oil initiatives like tree planting and sustainable agriculture. Chester Zoo’s conservation programmes show how these efforts can restore landscapes and support biodiversity recovery.
Find out more about Chester Zoo’s education programmes!
Chester Zoo has several resources to help support you in the classroom. Visit chesterzoo.org/schools/ for complete lesson plans (Years 3-6 & KS3) on sustainable palm oil and inspiration for long-term school planning .You can also download the PalmOil Scan App – developed by Chester Zoo and partners – to understand which products use sustainable palm oil.
Ferrero, a leader in sustainable palm oil, is proud to support Chester Zoo’s education programme. The company is committed to using responsibly sourced palm oil, and was ranked 2nd in the 2024 WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard, which evaluates global companies on their commitments and actions.
Let’s embark on this journey of discovery together, making a difference one lesson – and one choice – at a time.
