WoRkshOPs
Key Stage 1
Circle of Life
Pupils will explore a range of animals life cycles and discover how they grow, develop and produce offspring.
Animals are Awesome
Animals come in all different shapes and sizes, they all move in different ways and at different speeds, some have spots and some have stripes. From prickly porcupines to huge elephants, we’ll look at just how awesome animals are and how their different appearances help them to survive in the wild.
Do you have a topic?
Whatever you’re studying or teaching in your class, let us know your topic and the questions you would like us to answer and we will come along with bio-facts and answers that will help show and explain the answers to your burning questions.
Curriculum links:
Science - Animals
Living things and their habitats
Working scientifically
Key Stage 2
We are family
Who lives with who? Why do animals live in groups? Why do animals live alone? Pupils will learn how animals are classified, the different groups in which they live and how they benefit from these groups.
Curriculum links:
Science - Animals
Living things and their habitats
Working scientifically
The 'Ores'
Who eats what? Pupils will investigate and identify the three main types of feeders, including herbivores, carnivores and omnivores and look at how they are connected via food chains. Pupils will explore and compare the differences between features such as teeth function in these feeders.
Curriculum links:
Science - Animals
Living things and their habitats
Working scientifically
Homes & Habitats
Animals take up residence all over the world. How do they live in such a diverse range of environments? How do they survive in such extreme climates? Pupils will explore a range of habitats and identify their main characteristics, whilst discovering amazing adaptations animals have made in order to live there.
Curriculum links:
Science - Animals
Living things and their habitats
Working scientifically
Amazing Adaptations
How and why have animals adapted? Pupils will discover a multitude of amazing animal adaptations and understand both the importance and reasons as to why animals need to change in order to suit their environment.
Curriculum links:
Science - Animals
Living things and their habitats
Working scientifically
Key Stage 3/4
Conservation
This session will see students learning about the importance of conservation of both animal and plant species. Areas that will be covered include in and ex situ conservation, the advantages and disadvantages of both and how to implement them. The trade in animals will be covered and an in depth look into CITES and the control over the trade will be covered. Practical animal session with some of our flagship species.
Curriculum links:
Science – Interactions and interdependencies; Relationships in an ecosystem; Genetics and evolution; Inheritance, chromosomes, DNA and genes; Ecosystems
Geography – Geographical skills and fieldwork
Endangered Animals
Why are animals under threat? Pupils will be introduced to the terms 'endangered' and 'extinction', and will unearth the main threats facing the living world including poaching, deforestation, pollution and invasive species.
Curriculum links:
Science – Interactions and interdependencies; Relationships in an ecosystem; Genetics and evolution; Inheritance, chromosomes, DNA and genes; Ecosystems
Geography – Geographical skills and fieldwork
Sustainability
This session covers both energy and water sustainability. Exploitation of resources shall be explored and how this has a direct knock on effect to animals and their habitats. How can we encourage and promote the use of sustainable methods and make positive changes to alter our habits?
Curriculum links:
Science – Interactions and interdependencies; Relationships in an ecosystem; Ecosystems
Geography – Geographical skills and fieldwork
Animal Behaviour
We shall discuss animal behaviour, both wild and captive. A special focus will be on animal communication, how? why? when? If there are specific areas that need to be covered, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Curriculum links:
Science – Interactions and interdependencies; Relationships in an ecosystem; Genetics and evolution; Inheritance, chromosomes, DNA and genes; Ecosystems
Geography – Geographical skills and fieldwork
Key Stage 5 & Beyond
Enclosure Design
This session will take an in depth look at enclosure design. Students will have to create a new habitat for a specified animal species. Before this however, they shall be talked through planning processes, stakeholders and be able to look at an enclosure from different views relating to each of the stakeholders.
The Ethics of Zoos
During this session, students will be carrying out group based work. They will be presented with a real life scenario or dilemma that has to be resolved effectively and ethically. Different points of view have to be discussed and taken into consideration. From this students will gain an appreciation and understanding of the complexity surrounding decisions involving animal management. How ethical issues need to be approached in terms of culture and perspective are taken into consideration.
Breeding Programmes & Studbooks
Zoos & Conservation