LEARNING FOR SCHOOLS & GROUPS
Hands-on learning that brings wildlife, ecology and conservation to life
WORKING WITH GROUPS FROM PRE-SCHOOL TO POSTGRADUATE LEVEL
We are very happy to design our learning sessions to suit any environmental/wildlife theme that you wish, from food chains, soils and habitats, to Vikings, rain forests and recycling.
Our education sessions are nearly always activity-based and hands-on. We find this helps to ensure everyone is engaged, included and having fun while learning.
We are passionate about showing learners the connections between things and how everything in the natural world fits together.
We are usually able to offer our education sessions to schools across Argyll free of charge.
We can sometimes help with the cost of transport for a school group to come to the Beaver Centre, depending on our funding at the time.
Please get in touch to discuss your needs and arrange to book any of our sessions.
OUR LEARNING SESSIONS
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In-school lessons
We deliver activity-based indoor environmental & wildlife sessions for all ages, linked where possible to curriculum learning objectives. Sessions are tailored to a relevant subject and can fit in with a school topic or any requested theme or area of interest. We are guided by the interests and wishes of each class group - we always aim to explore the topics that spark their curiosity.
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Site visits
We welcome classes and groups to our visitor centre and outdoor site for guided walks including outdoor learning activities relevant to a requested topic or area of interest. We can use our open barn for lesson activities and lunch/snack breaks and have on-site toilets and hand-washing facilities.
LEARNING THROUGH CONSERVATION
Native Oyster Restoration Project
Our friends at Seawilding have been working hard to restore seagrass meadows and the native oyster population in Loch Craignish. As part of this community led project, we run sessions with school children to enable them to play a role in practical conservation and learn about marine ecology at the same time. We support school groups to gather data on the growth, development and mortality rate of the young oysters hanging in cages from the pontoons at Ardfern Marina. They also learn to record the tide state, water and air temperatures and other marine wildlife caught in our creel such as crabs and starfish. Once they reach a certain size, the oysters are released into the bay. The data collected by local children supports a broader national framework led by Rewilding Britain.
Argyll Hope Spot
Argyll Hope Spot celebrates the amazing marine wildlife found off our coast. The champion species is the Flapper Skate, which is the focus of our classroom-based lesson developed jointly with Argyll Hope Spot. Together we build a picture of all the species living in our coastal waters. We discuss their interconnections and some of the human issues impacting their survival.
We also offer a second session taking classes onto a local shoreline to explore the tidal zone and see what animal life we can find. Together with Dan the Merman, we have also co-ordinated sea swimming safety sessions for the young seashore surveyors to enjoy.
PLAN A SESSION WITH US
Please get in touch to discuss your group’s needs, interests and ideas.