Taking learning outdoors in Dunblane and Bridge of Allan

The project was closely linked to the Curriculum for Excellence and offered teachers the chance to gain new skills and deliver learning in a new and exciting way.

Kate Walters, an outdoor woodland learning specialist, delivered the project on behalf of SNH, and provided teachers with all the skills needed to venture out of the classroom into the nearby woodlands at Kippenrait Glen to find out what makes them so special.

One of the schools who took part with enthusiasm was St Mary’s Primary School in Dunblane. Not only did Mrs Currie’s Primary 7 class visit the woods many times to complete their ‘Science in Nature’ topic, but they also carried out interesting experiments to test various theories. For example, Laura did experiments to test the effects of colour on plants; Charles carried out rock erosion experiments and David investigated how worms broke down different materials in the soil. They also created temporary art in the woods and began earning a John Muir Award by improving their abilities to ‘discover, explore, conserve and share’ – the four aims of this Award, named after the famous Scottish conservationist. Parents were invited to view and share all the exciting work the children had done.

Recently, members of the class also entered the Edinburgh International Science Festival – Sci-Ku Competition and have just won two prizes for their poetry.

Other schools involved included Dunblane Primary School, Newton Primary School, Bridge of Allan Primary School, Dunblane High School, and Wallace High School.

Kate Walters of Magenpie Environmental Education said, “It was fantastic to have so many teachers from all the local schools taking part in this project and gaining confidence in taking learning outdoors. They bravely ventured out on training sessions to the woods in all weathers, and then went on to take their classes out to undertake some great projects outdoors.”

Local SNH officer, Caroline Crawford, added, “Kippenrait Glen is an ancient wildwood with fantastic biodiversity. Not only is it an important site in UK terms, but it has also been designated as a special European site. We wanted to ensure that this biodiversity is conserved now and in the future, and what better way to do that than to engage with and enthuse local schools about the site? It has been a pleasure to see the impressive range of school projects, and we very much hope to build on this in the future.”

Picture caption: Primary 7 class at St Mary’s Primary School in Dunblane with Caroline Crawford of Scottish Natural Heritage (left) and Kate Walters of Magenpie (right). Children from left to right, starting with the back row are Orla, Sam, Charles, Euan, David, Laura, Victoria, Cory and Hamish. Please credit photo to Kate Walters.

ENDS

For more information, contact Vicki Mowat, SNH PR & Media Officer, on 0131 316 2659 or 07917 071 543 or vicki.mowat@snh.gov.uk or contact the main SNH press office on 01463 725 022.