The E3 programme (Excite, Engage, Enrich) is an out of school hours programme that forms part of the Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC Services For Young People. CYFLEON were commissioned through this programme to deliver an Environmental Art programme as an after school project at Mountain Ash Comprehensive school.
After discussion with the school we decided upon a project using traditional building methods such as dry stone walling (or Dykes), cob (mixture of clay, sand and straw) and living willow to create a sculpture in the school woodlands. Using natural and heritage building techniques in the project supported the school with evidence to show their commitment to developing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) opportunities for pupils in their Out of School Hours Learning (OSHL) provision.
As part of the requirements for the project we consulted with the young people to develop a design and build brief for a sculpture with the group. We were also asked to accredit the project with a recognised award and decided upon using the ASDAN Environmental short course as this sat within the QCA framework. This award could then be used to gain CoPE/AoPE awards that would secure additional ACAS points (if wanted).
Using Nature to inspire creativity.
For many it was their first time in the school woodlands and the uncertainty of what was in there made several of the group apprehensive about being in the woods for any length of time. A small number of the group were best described as disconnected with their natural environment.
Having gone to this school myself, I was fully aware of the great natural resource the school possessed in its woodlands and decided upon incorporating some exploration and discovery of the area into the programme. During our first session we attempted to start reconnecting our group with nature and explored the woods. Looking for inspiration whilst gaining a sense of security about being in a different learning environment, brought us encounters with magpies, robins, song thrushes, a tree creeper, a pair of squirrels and a mouse all within 30 minutes. This proved to be a success with more of the group excited about what could be found in their school woods.
Having gone to this school myself, I was fully aware of the great natural resource the school possessed in its woodlands and decided upon incorporating some exploration and discovery of the area into the programme. During our first session we attempted to start reconnecting our group with nature and explored the woods. Looking for inspiration whilst gaining a sense of security about being in a different learning environment, brought us encounters with magpies, robins, song thrushes, a tree creeper, a pair of squirrels and a mouse all within 30 minutes. This proved to be a success with more of the group excited about what could be found in their school woods.
To finish our session of exploring I wanted the group to take their time getting used to the different sounds, light and shadow's and even the smells that are present in the woods. Using magnifying glasses we took a closer look at items of interest we found in the woods and used these to play a game of charades. This helped to develop communication skills such as the ability to ask questions and answer constructively as well as breaking down some barriers between members of the group. This activity allowed for positive interaction with each other describing objects such as seeds, nuts and berries found. We also began our journey of allowing the group to feel safe and secure in the woods; their classroom for the programme.
Dry Stone Walling
We decided upon using a base made by a technique known as dry stone walling (Dykes). This we felt was less destructive to the environment than using a base made with cement/motor in addition to this, the dry stone wall with its natural holes and crevasses could serve as an habitat for some of the creatures that made their home in the woodlands.
Using this heritage building technique the young people learnt new skills with tools, risk management including undertaking their own risk assessments and the basics of building a drystone wall.
Making Cob
Having completed our base to mount our cob sculpture on, we began the next phase of our project building & sculpting with cob. Cob is a natural building material made from a mixture of clay, sand, straw and a little water (to move things along). It is an incredibly interesting material to work with, it is very tactile and easily formed into shape to create sculptures (big and small), benches, walls or our favourite a pizza oven!
We had great fun with our wellies mixing the ingredients with our feet and using a large tarp for the 'human cement mixer' mixing method. The ready mixture is formed into hand sized bread rolls or cob's; the origin of the materials name and then used to form the sculpture, cob by cob.
Having completed our base to mount our cob sculpture on, we began the next phase of our project building & sculpting with cob. Cob is a natural building material made from a mixture of clay, sand, straw and a little water (to move things along). It is an incredibly interesting material to work with, it is very tactile and easily formed into shape to create sculptures (big and small), benches, walls or our favourite a pizza oven!
We had great fun with our wellies mixing the ingredients with our feet and using a large tarp for the 'human cement mixer' mixing method. The ready mixture is formed into hand sized bread rolls or cob's; the origin of the materials name and then used to form the sculpture, cob by cob.
Creating our sculpture
It was interesting to see that the group chose to create a tree as this was something that was a strong feature of every session; the importance of the trees for habitats, fuel, shelter (from some the wild and very wet welsh weather) and from recent research our health & well being. Also the town Mountain Ash is named after a mighty Rowan that once stood there.
To create a more visual surrounding for our tree (rowan) sculpture, we enclosed it with a living willow dome. This is another favourite material of mine that can be used to create some interesting areas for both learning and play.
To finish we protected our cob sculpture with a lime render coloured with natural pigments and contrasted this with a covering of bark around the base floor.
To create a more visual surrounding for our tree (rowan) sculpture, we enclosed it with a living willow dome. This is another favourite material of mine that can be used to create some interesting areas for both learning and play.
To finish we protected our cob sculpture with a lime render coloured with natural pigments and contrasted this with a covering of bark around the base floor.
Project successes
- Developed young people's creativity.
- Learnt new skills in natural and heritage building techniques.
- Achieved an ASDAN Environmental short course
- Experienced and enjoyed nature as a learning environment.
- Had lots of fun.
We would like to thank the young people for their effort and enthusiasm throughout the project and the Community Focused Schools/E3 staff at Mountain Ash Comprehensive for their progressive and ambitious attitudes towards giving young people quality extra-curricular learning opportunities.
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