The Wool Shed inspires students to be creative and curious about new uses for an abundant, natural and locally produced fibre.
Project manager Vicki Linstrom said kids are keen to learn about a biodegradable, sustainable product and are well aware there is no Planet B.
The Wools in School programme was originally aimed at intermediate pupils but is also going out to younger and older students.
Primary schools are booking it for technology and science classes while high schools have adopted it for business, economics and agri classes.
The initiative was the brainchild of an ex-primary school teacher, who also wrote most of the activity book that is provided to schools with each container.
The project run by the Campaign for Wool NZ Trust started in 2017 with one container, fitted out with examples of raw and processed fibre, manufactured items ranging from wool slippers to the felted-wool covering for tennis balls, wool booms and seed mats.
Late last year a college in Taranaki secured funding from an education trust that paid for an ex-teacher, who is now a sheep and beef farmer, to help bring the story of wool to life.
The farmer spent two weeks working with students in the container.
From originally cold-calling schools to muster support for the idea, Linstrom is now busy organising the movement of a container on each island.
At first the Wool Shed was booked for a week but once they understood how it can be used schools began asking for a longer stay, she said.
“Schools didn’t realise how much learning they could do.”
And they are calling on local experts to help tell the natural fibre story and the average stay at a school is now two weeks.
Schools can add their own twist to a visit.
In Te Kuiti children were treated to portable shearing and a visit to the shearing museum.
Local farmers and others with knowledge to share are invited to share their knowledge and experience with the students.
Tracey Topp, the founder of woollen socks retailer Cosy Toes, spent time with pupils at Leithfield School in North Canterbury,
Topp was invited to talk about Cosy Toes and wool because the years seven and eight children were studying wool.
“I took them a synthetic garment and some Cosy Toes Merino socks to feel the difference – at the end they were asking me to touch their clothing and wanting to know whether they were wearing wool or not.”
Topp also told them about the fire-retardant safety aspects of wool.
“They really got that when I showed them a photo of a friend’s house fire and the only thing that survived were her precious things because they had been wrapped in a wool blanket.
“They all knew what burning plastic felt like on the skin so I explained that polar fleece on a baby is just the same next to a flame. And synthetic carpet melts like tar in a fire.”
Linstrom said that two-way interaction is priceless.
“We’re encouraging schools to tap into their community to add to the experience.”
She is amazed at the South Island response. Since its debut in Riverton in Southland earlier this year demand has increased from five stops in term one with seven schools booked for term three.
The containers are fitted with display drawers and explanations of a variety of wool products from wool knops and face masks to technology from AgResearch. There are knitting needles, carders, drop spindles and an Ashford loom, all of which are available for the students to try.
Programme sponsor PGG Wrightson helps with the logistics of moving the containers and encourages its wool reps to drop in to schools to explain the product, the industry and its ethics.
The reps are given briefing notes so they can work alongside teachers.
Anyone with industry experience and good communication skills is invaluable to give a bit of an edge to it, Linstrom said.
PGG Wrightson South Island wool manager Rob Cochrane is encouraging all his reps to have a go at it.
To reach teachers and school managers, Linstrom advertises the Wool Shed in the Education Gazette. Bookings are full for the rest of the year and term one next year but spots are available from then onward.
