Pupils use conservation techniques to help endangered species
London school children are the first to use this innovative teaching experience
Pupils are being given the opportunity to use research techniques adopted by conservationists to study endangered birds in an innovative new learning session at WWT London Wetland Centre.
Conservation Explorers is an investigative activity aimed at Key Stages 2 and 3 (aged 7-14), turning the learners into conservation scientists for the day. This unforgettable experience for pupils encourages them to carry out several monitoring tasks throughout the session, from measuring birds’ preening rates to identifying and counting species on a lake using both the naked eye and digital photography.
Their route around the reserve is tracked by a GPS device which they carry with them, which allows them to upload their research results from specific points on their route onto a bespoke website. The website has been especially created for this session and can be accessed by pupils once they’ve returned to school, enriching their learning experience still further.
The animals involved are all water birds, some of them wild and some of them captive species which are actively being monitored by WWT scientists using these techniques, such as endangered Red Breasted Geese.
Sophie Beattie, a teacher at Sacred Heart School said:
“Brilliant. The kids have really enjoyed the independent style of the task and using the equipment, which we don’t have at school. Seeing them using it in context and understanding how it’s used by conservationists at the Trust has been great.”
Paul Lawston, Learning Manager at London Wetland Centre was enthusiastic about the enquiry-based activity, “Conservation Explorers allows pupils to experience real-life techniques used by WWT scientists when they’re carrying out essential conservation work. They get a chance to independently explore part of the reserve carrying out their own enquiries and then use GPS technology to map their results and compare them with other classes on the web.”
Conservation Explorers has been funded by the Ernest Cook Trust, The Shanley Foundation, Mazars Charitable Trust and EMC2 Computers (UK) Ltd.
Since 1946 over 2 million pupils have visited WWT Wetland Centres. If you wish to book a Conservation Explorers session at London Wetland Centre contact 020 8409 4419 or email education.london@wwt.org.uk.
Come and join us now for your outdoor learning adventures and take advantage of our great value package for schools. If 20% or more of your pupils are eligible for free school meals you may even qualify for a free visit, subject to availability.
