With just over one hundred days until the Tour of Britain 2022 arrives in the North East of Scotland, schools in Aberdeenshire have been given access to a set of new online resources dedicated to cycling. This aims to bring aspects of the famous cycle race into the classroom ahead of the opening stage that will see the world’s top cyclists race from Aberdeen to Glenshee on Sunday 4th September.
The new resources, hosted on the GLOW platform, allows teachers and school staff to access a wide range of information about the Tour of Britain, with a specific focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects and how closely they relate to cycling. As Stage 1 approaches, the numerous scientific and technological advances that exist within professional cycling will also be explored with a specific Tour of Britain STEM Day taking place on Thursday 1st September, followed by an optional Active Travel Day on Friday 2nd September where pupils can walk, scoot, wheel or cycle to school.
Outwith the STEM focus, the resources also provide a more expansive overview of cycling options across the authority, including links to the highly successful Aberdeenshire Bikeability programme, the creation of extra-curricular cycling sessions via Active Schools or Live Life Aberdeenshire’s Outdoor programme, and community links to local cycling clubs via Scottish Cycling and national resources from Cycling Scotland.
By closely aligning with the National Tour of Britain Schools Pack from the race organisers, the combined resources will now ensure schools can provide a comprehensive overview to pupils of all ages. Schools are being encouraged to complete the ‘Flag and Jersey’ designs provided by the race organisers, with the designs then being used to decorate Care Homes, Sheltered Housing complexes and council sports facilities in the build up to Stage 1.
Braemar Primary School class teacher Mrs Nixon looks over Stage 1 of this year's Tour of Britain with pupils Eilidh, Chloe and Robin.
With the UCI World Cycling Championships also taking place in Glasgow in August 2023, the added resources will now become a permanent source of cycling information for schools, families and the public as a lasting legacy of hosting the Tour of Britain. Live Life Aberdeenshire will also be carrying a public version of the resources on its website.
Laurence Findlay, Director of Education and Children’s Services for Aberdeenshire Council said: “This fantastic new resource will give teaching staff across Aberdeenshire the opportunity to engage their pupils with some really exciting STEM learning ahead of the arrival of the Tour of Britain in September. This will also provide us with greater insight into the world of professional cycling before we see some of the best riders in the world race across Aberdeenshire to the finish at Glenshee.”