Channel Islands Environmental Project – Funky Junk

The Gerard Le Claire Environmental Trust has today announced the launch of “Funky Junk”, a Channel Islands Environmental Project supported in association with Deutsche Bank Offshore.

The project, which will run throughout the summer term in Jersey, Alderney, Sark and Herm in 18 primary schools and in Guernsey during the Autumn term in 10 primary schools, will reach nearly 1500 Key Stage 2 pupils.

The idea for Funky Junk project came from Clare Paisley, the project manager. Clare is a BA Honours graduate of Ecological Design from Goldsmiths College, University of London.

The plan is for each of the pupils to produce a 3-dimensional sculpture from waste materials and objects utilising craft skills for building and joining whilst trying to minimise the use of glues, tape and staples.

The sculptures will be formed as a result of classroom brainstorming sessions on environmental issues affecting Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm stemming from the 2001 United Nations Sustainable Development meeting and from the Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro, 1992. The issues include traffic, air travel, population, waste, rivers and seas, energy, buildings, pollution, countryside, farming and industry, all of which fit in with the National Curriculum topics.

A website, www.awonderfulworld.org.uk, has been developed to help the children develop their ideas and designs prior to Clare going to the schools. The site will also feature a catalogue of all the works produced by the pupils. As well as a notice board where pupils from across the Channel Islands can pose questions to each other and Clare regarding the project and environmental issues. The website also has many links to other environmental sites and initiatives.

John Boothman, Managing Director, Deutsche Bank International Limited in Jersey commented:

“Deutsche Bank is fully committed to the promotion of environmental initiatives, and we are delighted to be able to support this wonderful project. We have all been bowled over by Clare's knowledge and enthusiasm, and I am sure the schoolchildren in both Islands will enjoy making the sculptures, as well as learning some useful lessons about the environment. I have no doubt that capturing the interest of young people is the key to safeguarding our environment in the long term and "Funky Junk" is a big step in the right direction.”

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