Pupils from Aycliffe Primary School went leaf-spotting in a nature competition run by local employers 3M.
The competition was held in the woodland area of the company’s Centenary Field, which was first planted next to its Heighington Lane site in 2002 to mark 3M’s 100th anniversary.
Some 30 pupils from the school took part in small teams competing to identify various species of trees including oak, hazel and ash for prizes with an environmental theme.
3M environmental, health and safety coordinator Martyn Harvey explained: “We had photographs of leaves attached to a clip board which were given to each team and the children had to match these with labels on the trees. The idea was to encourage their interest in trees and they all seemed to enjoy it.”
Headteacher Jed Gargan added: “3M ran a similar competition for us two years ago and we were delighted they agreed to do another. The children had a wonderful time in the woodland and returned to school having learnt a great deal about our native British trees.
“The project links to the many environmental activities that the pupils engage in. Our pupils are currently working towards the ‘Green Flag’ Environmental Award. We have a thriving Eco Group that is helping stimulate bio diversity in our own grounds.
“The pupils that visited 3M also participated in a project along the Cathedral riverbanks in Durham as part of an Environmental Award. Many of our topics are enhanced by such visits and I would like to thank 3M for inviting us along to use their grounds.”
Pupils Leah Hughes, Annie Self, Georgia Armstrong and Kian White with Paul Dobson, a member of the 3M environmental team which organised the competition
