Learning Tracks
Welcome to our new website, which came together in something of a hurry, in preparation for the Summer school holidays of 2026!
We wanted to engage families or other small groups of people with a passion to help find solutions to the challenges faced by humans and nature today. In particular this year our theme was Fossil Fuels, to ensure everyone, no matter what age they are, can understand what happens when you burn them and how we can gradually replace them with other types of energy.
The calendar below illustrates that we are almost at the end of our activities now. Tuesday 25th August Track 5 will be the conclusion, but then will come a major summing up period and publication of materials. Much of this will be in films, as we are working within a project of Critical Sustainability Stories in partnership with the University of Leeds.
Please keep reading to get a better understanding of what we do and see if it is right for you and your family or group of friends or colleagues to join us.
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Key Elements of Learning Tracks
The model has been developed over a period of 9 years at our centre in mid Cornwall, called The Meadow Barns Centre for Climate Hope. 9 years means 2026 is our Copper anniversary, which is very appropriate as much of our research has been into the past, present and future of metal mining. We take time to study, especially the copper period in Victorian times across Cornwall and West Devon, in order to inform plans for what next with new mining.
Eco credentials and Green Energy
After the initial few years of construction, using eco building materials and green energy systems, the unexpected arrival of Covid and Lockdowns showed us what a joy outdoor explorations and learning could be. We hosted small groups (remember how they were called Bubbles??) – families, colleagues or friendship groups – who we supported to go walking and acting like detectives, spotting clues in the industrial landscapes of mines and quarries, which are so rich with STEM examples (for Science Technology Engineering and Maths).
Our Director, Caroline, with a career in the creative sector rather than the world of science (background in performing & teaching, with music and story telling as the main tools) often found the STEM tough to grasp. It was like a heavy dough, which she felt needed a bit of leavening/lightening up, plus maybe some herbs and spices too. Thus began a process of invention, experiment and pure fun, using all the Arts … colour, shape, natural materials and textiles, stories, rhymes and music. Taken together these elements make the kind of approach we so urgently need for the future, going ‘Full STEAMS Ahead!’ with STEM innovations.
Here is just one example, from Learning Track 1a, that is suitable for even pre-school age detectives to join, when supported within a small group of e.g. siblings, parents and/ or grandparents.
To continue, for a moment, the idea of STEM being a heavy recipe, needing some spice, it helps us arrive also at the Red Hot elements of our work. Sometimes we represent them as chilli flakes! But then also in a film or 2 you may see Red Hot Pokers for the contentious topics we have to grasp, difficult balancing acts we are challenged to juggle and in some cases then suffer the fury of opposing groups on Facebook and other social media. To do this kind of work really takes a bit of courage! Here’s a summing up, taken from Act 1 of the Leeds University film project. Working with them and indeed with Camborne School of Mines, at Exeter University, (we were supported to develop Learning Tracks by Exeter in 2024) helps us to sustain the courage and enthusiasm we need for our task!
The element of Transport and Trains
Another really important element of Learning Tracks is that we encourage and support travel without a car. Tiny Cornish and West Devon lanes into industrial landscapes have too much traffic already. Yes, we recognise that there are often problems with attempting use of public transport like this, but with a bit of patience and good planning the most marvellous adventure trips can be created.
Alighting from your train or bus then the types of tracks we use for learning are …
- Ancient bye-ways, where shepherds might have herded their sheep down slopes to & from the streams in a valley, or driven them over the high moors
- More formal drives and carriageways, between castles and mansions
- Canal tow paths, best for anyone with mobility or fitness limitations
- Railway tracks, both historic for industrial trucks or steam-powered jaunts, and today’s tracks, which are so important as an alternative to taking the car on narrow local roads
Cycle Tracks and separate Bridleways
And last, but absolutely not least, groups are not alone on their adventures. In most cases they will be accompanied by a story teller …
- Soundtracks – recordings of voices in conversation, sharing memories and ideas with snippets of carefully chosen music, arranged and/or composed to enhance the experience of learning
- Yes, these are on a digital device, but NOT on the internet, ever
Train Stations for Learning Tracks 2026
Arrive at the following train stations, then walk and find
Track 1 – at St Budeaux and/or Saltash starting July 25th, with major event for adults July 30th
Track 2 – at Gunnislake, starting August 3rd and planned to become a permanent opportunity
Track 3 – at Calstock from August 10th testing a 3 hr long circular walk & potential for the new Learning Tracks Training Centre
Track 4 – offered at Luxulyan throughout the summer, book a 3 hr long combination of activities & walk supported by a learning pack, on hire from the village shop
Track 5 – starting at Bere Alston from August 25th, with a 3 hr long combination of walk and study at the Tamar Belle Railway Centre plus possible extra future-facing events that week
Track 6 – Likely to be an autumn celebration event, hosted in Plymouth, but still to be confirmed
| Already Travelling and keen to go Full STEAMS Ahead? Register and login to join the Student Forum, from September | Already offering opportunities for groups to study their Tracks? Register and login to join the Provider’s Forum, from September |