Biodiversity

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Speedwell Biodiversity Education Programmes 2009/10                                    

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Speedwell’s  environmental education programmes take place at the Speedwell Centre in Parkanaur Forest Park and caters for foundation, KS1 and KS2 children.  Local schools, from the controlled and maintained sectors, are given the opportunity to join together to participate in a wide variety of curriculum based programmes.

 Foundation & KS1 Environment       Programme Information & Costs

Autumn Watch/Spring Growing: Using specimen birds/animals, interactive images and natural materials children investigate autumn/spring. Children explore seasonal changes in the forest and participate in art/craft activities Minibeast Hunt: Children get the opportunity to explore the forest park to hunt for minibeasts. They also make minibeasts from play dough and participate in activities associated with minibeasts Bird Watch: Using specimen birds and interactive presentations children examine a variety of our native birds. They design and make bird feeders from recycled containers. They use binoculars to identify native birds in  Parkanaur Forest and complete an art/craft activity Christmas at Parkanaur:  Children participate in a variety of craft activities/games to explore native animal behaviour in winter. Children are accompanied to the Parkanaur Deer Park to see Santa’s reindeer and watch an environmental themed puppet show. ______________________________________________________________________________

 KS2 Environmental                         Programme Information & Costs                    

Living Creatures: Children get the opportunity to explore the forest park to hunt for minibeasts and investigate living creatures found in the Torrent river. They also design a  minibeasts lifecyle wheel. Caring for our Birds: Using specimen birds and interactive presentations children examine  variety of our native birds. They design and make a bird tray and bird seed mixture for bird feeders. They also use binoculars to identify native birds in Parkanaur Forest. Managing Our Waste: Children participate in a variety of activities relating to recycling and composting. They work in partners to create a recycling wheel, make paper blocks from pulp, cush cans and explore composting. Wildflowers: Children explore, classify and record many of the wildflowers in Parkanaur. They participate in activities relating to pollination and seed dispersal. They also get the chance to plant a variety of seeds in a biodegradable pot to take to their school Food Chains: Children investigate food chains, food pyramids and food webs. They also use the forest to construct their own food chains in 3 different eco systems as well as designing and making food chain mobiles. ______________________________________________________________________________

Speedwell Environmental Outreach Programme

Schools who participate in these environment programmes are eligible to avail of  Speedwell’s outreach service. Working in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Eco-Schools, BBC Breathing Places and local biodiversity officers, staff from Speedwell will assist schools to improve biodiversity in their school grounds. This year Speedwell will provide expertise and resources in the following areas:

Minibeast Habitats	Composting
Wildflower Gardening	Bird Nesting Boxes/Bird Baths

Programme Costs The cost of participating in one of these environmental programmes is £1.50 per child. Schools cover transport costs.