DIRECT CLIMATE COOLING INITIATIVE
The DCCI Educational Programme
Story-led science education for schools
Delivered through the Fleur Rossdale Foundation
The DCCI Educational Programme is a story-led learning initiative designed to connect environmental science, geography, biology, and community values through narrative, expert insight, and systems thinking.
At its heart is The Woodland Sprite Series, a set of novels that use imagination to explore real scientific challenges – climate systems, ecosystems, human responsibility, and the balance of natural forces. The Programme translates these stories into practical educational resources for schools, teachers, and pupils, encouraging engagement through curiosity and agency rather than fear.
The Programme is delivered through the Direct Climate Cooling Initiative (DCCI) platform and supported by the Fleur Rossdale Foundation, a UK charity with an arm in Belgium.
Educational Rationale
Children are increasingly exposed to complex environmental realities at a young age, often without the context, language, or emotional framework to process them. The DCCI Educational Programme addresses this by:
 Supporting cross-curricular learning, aligned with existing curricula |  Encouraging hope, responsibility, and critical thinking, not anxiety |  Framing environmental challenges through interconnected systems |
|---|---|---|
 Using story as a gateway to scientific understanding |
The Programme spans Geography, Biology, Science, English, Citizenship / PSHE, and the Arts, with flexibility for adaptation across age groups and school systems
Structure of the Programme
The Programme is built around three layers:
1
Free “Taster” Expert Recordings
Contributing experts are invited to record a short, informal video consisting of:
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Introduction & credentials (1 minute)
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A short reading from The Woodland Sprite Series relevant to their field (4–6 minutes)
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A science frame, connecting the story to real-world research or practice (approx. 1 minute)
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These recordings form a free online library for schools via the DCCI platform, acting as an entry point into deeper learning.
2
Extended Lecture & Training Modules
Schools may subscribe to longer expert-led modules, offered in formats of:
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30 / 60 / 90 minutes
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Filmed lecture only
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Filmed lecture with slides
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Filmed lecture with slides and downloadable classroom resources
These modules may be used for:
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Teacher training
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Classroom delivery
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Cross-curricular projects
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Whole-school or community events
3
School Awards Framework
Participating schools
may engage with
the DCCI School Awards,
recognising thoughtful
engagement with
environmental learning,
systems thinking,
and collaborative action
rather than
performative targets.
Role of Contributing Experts
Experts contribute on a professional, remunerated basis, with all arrangements agreed transparently in advance.
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Short taster recordings are offered freely as introductions
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Longer modules are commissioned with an agreed fee
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Ongoing access through the DCCI subscription platform may include licensing or royalty arrangements
Experts are invited to select the chapter or passage from The Woodland Sprite Series that most naturally connects to their field, maintaining a shared narrative thread across disciplines.
Participation does not require advocacy, simplification of science, or alignment with a particular policy position. The Programme values clarity, honesty, and the ability to speak to young audiences with respect.
The Role of the Books
The Woodland Sprite Series provides a shared imaginative framework – the protection of the Four Winds and the balance of natural systems – allowing diverse scientific fields to be explored within a coherent narrative.
Experts are encouraged (but not obliged) to purchase the book most relevant to their subject and to choose a passage they feel works naturally with their expertise. If they choose to read further, independent reviews are welcomed.
Next Steps
The DCCI Educational Programme is currently being introduced through pilot school collaborations, with sector-specific contributions developing in parallel.
Experts from forestry, oceans, agriculture, biodiversity, pollination, migration, climate systems, and related fields are invited to take part in shaping a growing, shared educational resource for future generations.