Representatives from Alnwick and St Cloud, Minnesota have been working on an exciting environmental project which could help bring about positive changes in the UK and the United States.

Katie Tompkins has been staying in Alnwick Castle with other students from Minnesota.

During her stay Katie has been working as a volunteer with Terry Smith from Alnwick Area Friends of the Earth, helping with its environmental and nature work with young people and their families.

A major part of this activity has been using the Environmental Tipping Point Challenge game that was created recently by Alnwick Area Friends of the Earth together with Rosie Bush and the Duchess’s Community High School.

Katie Tompkins, centre, with Rose Bush and Terry Smith.

placeholder image — Katie Tompkins, centre, with Rose Bush and Terry Smith.

This game has proved popular in schools across the North East and with many of those attending recent community fairs in Amble, Rothbury and at Woodhorn, near Ashington.

Katie suggested that the United States should have its own game for work with young people. She thought that this could be in Minnesota initially but with a scope for widening its use beyond the state.

Working with Terry, Katie has developed a US version of the game which she will take home to Minnesota.

This game is a collaboration centred on environmental awareness and education.

The US version builds on the original concept of the Tipping Point game whilst tailoring content to reflect environmental contexts, policies and community priorities in the States.

Terry said that a contact had been made with Friends of the Earth USA about the game and said that Alnwick Area Friends of the Earth will be very interested to hear what young people in the US make of the game.