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Learning Sessions

Our learning sessions have been updated for 2012.  Please scroll down to see what's on offer.  If you have any questions please email or call us - 01387 770200

Pond dipping

1a  What lives in a pond?

Dip with nets in our wildlife ponds and explore the amazing animals you catch up-close and in detail using magnifying glasses and ID guides. What do the animals look like and what do they do?

1b  How do animals live in a pond?

Take on the role of a pond creature and design and display through dressing-up your own unique adaptations for freshwater life. What will you be able to do and why?

Feeding birds

2a  How do birds find food?

Experience a wild swan feed and see hundreds of birds up-close. Discover what the birds are eating, how their beaks are perfectly adapted and spot their interactions with each other whilst feeding.  What are they doing and why?

Looking for birds

3a  What are the differences between birds?

Watch real birds using binoculars and telescopes to spot the similarities and differences between them and observe how they behave. What will you see them doing and why?

3b  How do birds fly?

Handle real wings and feathers, watch birds in motion and find out what it takes to fly. Investigate how forces, shape and size make a difference. What will you discover?

3c  How and why do birds migrate?

Become a wild goose and experience through our migration game the incredible journeys of migratory birds. Where will you be going, what challenges will you face and how will you survive?

Looking for wetland life

4a  What lives in a wetland?

Be a detective using your senses to explore the plants and animals living in wetland habitats. What will you smell? What will you find? How will it feel and why?

Listening for wetland life

5a  What does a wetland sound like?

Launch a sound enquiry outdoors.  Use your ears and our equipment including microphones and hydrophones to discover and capture live sounds above and below water.  What will you hear, what's making that sound and why?

Surveying habitats

6a  What lives in this habitat?

Go pond dipping and sweep netting and spot the similarities and differences between the animals you catch. How do the animals you caught in the pond compare to those on land?

6b  What affects a pond?

Explore freshwater ponds with scientific equipment. Catch and identify animals, measure water quality and record your findings. What will your results tell you about the pond?

Exploring conservation

7a  How can we get close to wildlife and look after it?

Find out about our conservation work and how you can help us and experience first-hand the techniques we use to bring people and wildlife together. How and why do we do it and does it work?

Exploring sustainability

8a  Where does my water come from and how can I look after it?

Experience real wetlands to discover where our freshwater comes from. Explore the water cycle, what we do that affects it and how we can save water by looking after wetlands. What can you do to help and who and what will benefit?