The RES has supported an unusual economics educational project over the past year to provide teaching economics resources through the ''Beyond the Bike 2015 The Next Revolution'' project. UK teacher Stuart Block, former economist in the City has spent the 2015-2016 year cycling to China on a tandem following ancient and new ''silk roads'' with his girlfriend and fellow teacher, Claire Le Hur. Keeping the back seat of the tandem free for those they meet en route, Claire rode a bamboo bike, built by an African social enterprise. In 2015 they started their journey in East Africa following the journey of key natural resources used in smartphones, such as Copper and Gold, along their supply chains to resource- hungry Asia, in particular China.
Using smartphones to record the adventure, partnering with Fairphone (a mobile phone company which puts social values first), they have explored the shifting balance of power in the world economy, and other geographical, historical and linguistic themes in an educational project aimed at students worldwide. Aiming to engage students with global issues and connect classrooms throughout the world they are producing blogs, videos, skype lessons and other educational resources through Tutor2u, examining themes that have helped shape economic development over the centuries, including trade, technology and education.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT, PLEASE VISIT THEIR WEBSITE:http://www.beyondthebike.org/
Here''s the Beyond the Bike blog and latest economics teaching resources.
