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Alan Smith

Sustainability Lead & STEAM Teacher

Jebel Ali School

Alan Smith is a STEAM Teacher and Sustainability Lead at Jebel Ali School, Dubai where he is driving a whole-school, deeper connection with the natural world, whilst co-building a new STEAM curriculum and department. He came to this role having worked full time with the UK not-for-profit organisation he co-founded, The Rock Pool Project which connects people of all ages and backgrounds with their local marine wildlife. His love for the natural world was born when he grew up by the beaches, countryside and rock pools of Cornwall in the UK and led him to study Marine Biology at Swansea University, Wales. After a number of years working in travel and travel journalism, he followed his parents footsteps into education, completing a PGCE at Plymouth Marjon University. Since then, he has taught at a number of schools in the UK, Thailand and the UAE's leading STEAM, Science and Year Groups. Alongside his passions for nature, teaching and entrepreneurism, Alan loves cricket and football, playing drums and striving to increase his current tally of 61 countries visited so far.

SPEAKER SESSIONS

12 November, 2024 | 11:45 to 12:05
Nature Connection for Sustainability and Wellbeing

Sustainability starts with a love of the natural world. Why would someone rethink, reduce, recycle or change their behaviour if they’ve never experienced nature's wonders or had a chance to appreciate biodiversity? Through innovative, outdoor citizen science games, we can unite school communities to appreciate and connect with wildlife, boost wellbeing, have fun, and supercharge sustainable behaviour choices. In a world of screens, malls, and instant gratification, people are more disconnected from nature than ever. Sir David Attenborough says, “No one will protect what they don't care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.” How often do our students get to notice, learn about, or enjoy nature? Building on his work with The Rock Pool Project, Alan will share how his school recently created one of the biggest wildlife events ever in The UAE; with students, parents and staff relishing the collective challenge to discover and share thousands of wildlife records.