Litter Picking, Learning & Lasting Change — with Patrick Jackson

2025-10-28

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From one class pack to a million hours of environmental education. ELT author and creator of Picker Pals, Patrick Jackson, shares how a single idea grew into a movement that’s transformed classrooms and communities. From storytelling and sustainability to litter-picking with families, Patrick explains how Picker Pals empowers children to take action, while learning along the way.Watch with closed captions.TALKING POINTSHow Patrick’s early ELT materials inspired Picker PalsWhat a classroom teddy has to do with environmental act...

From one class pack to a million hours of environmental education. ELT author and creator of Picker Pals, Patrick Jackson, shares how a single idea grew into a movement that’s transformed classrooms and communities. From storytelling and sustainability to litter-picking with families, Patrick explains how Picker Pals empowers children to take action, while learning along the way.

Watch with closed captions.

TALKING POINTS

How Patrick’s early ELT materials inspired Picker Pals
What a classroom teddy has to do with environmental action
Why creative projects lead to bigger career breakthroughs
The joy and power of collaboration — even with competitors
How to bring real-world issues into the classroom

ABOUT

Patrick Jackson is an ELT author known for publications such as Everybody Up and Shine On. From 1996 to 2008, he lived and taught in Japan, and has since travelled widely as a speaker, sharing practical, common-sense approaches to language education. Patrick is especially interested in how classrooms can connect meaningfully with the wider world — and believes they’re at their best when they become places of purpose.

Since 2018, he has been the Creative Director of Picker Pals, an award-winning programme that motivates and equips primary school children to lead their families on litter-picking adventures and build a positive environmental mindset. Picker Pals has now been adopted by 72% of Irish primary schools and is expanding internationally.

RESOURCES & REFERENCES

🔗 Picker Pals World

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CREDITS

Producer: Laura Wilkes