Bedfordshire & Luton

Environmental Education Show 2012

Please note the ZSL gates will close at 4.30 pm on Feburary 23. All participants must arrive before then in order to gain access to the event. Vehicles will still be able to leave after 4.30 via the automated gates.

Workshops are optional, however we do encourage you to check them out. Sign up for workshops will take place on the day. The schedule will be posted below as soon as it is finalised.

Schedule

Workshops

Willow weaving with Harrold-Odell Country Park: learn basic willow weaving - park staff will show you how to make your own quoits. This session was a huge hit at the last Environmental Education Show and will be fun for all ages.

Owl pellet dissection with the Wildlife Trust: dissect an owl pellet and become a bone detective! Pellets contain the remains of prey animals (skulls, bones, claws, feathers and fur) which an owl is unable to digest. Pellets are coughed up through the mouth. This is an interesting and exciting way to learn about owls and their prey through dissecting an owl pellet and investigating the skeletal remains. You can even attempt to reconstruct the skeleton of the prey!

Making the most of school grounds for animal friendly learning with the RSPCA: This workshop aims to inspire teachers to make more use of the school grounds for learning about wild animals and biodiversity, with an animal-friendly approach. This is a hands-on introduction to exciting outdoor lesson ideas linking with subjects including science, geography and citizenship. It is also an opportunity to consider how schools and their grounds can be used in ways that attract more wild creatures - a resource right on your doorstep. Includes a quick tour of the huge range of free resources the RSPCA produces for teachers.

Water efficiency with Veolia Water: learn how schools can become water efficient and how they can encourage the wider community to also use water wisely. This workshop will be a mixture of activity, demonstration and discussion.

'Keep it Clear' with Anglian Water: come and make sewage and explore what we flush and wash away. How does all our waste impact on the environment? What happens to those false teeth you flushed by mistake? How did a false leg end up at the sewage works? Learn how to be a sewer lover, not a sewer abuser.

One Planet School or Three Planet School? with Groundwork: It is said that in order to maintain the lifestyles we lead at the present time, in the so-called developed world, we will need the natural resources of not one, not two but three planets. As you all know we only have one planet so we all need to learn to live in a more sustainable manner, i.e. 'One Planet Living'. This workshop will allow you to assess your school grounds to see if you are practicing a one planet lifestyle or a three planet lifestyle, and will give you advice and easy-to-implement tips to start making changes.

Ready Steady Grow with the RHS: a guide to gardening in school. Simple ideas to get your children growing; learn  how to make gardening at the heart of your school ethos and learning. Case studies from Bedfordshire schools who have had success through the RHS scheme.

Both of the following workshops will take place out in the zoo: please be sure to wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Taster tours with ZSL Whipsnade Zoo: These will take in elements of both formats of tour that we offer to school groups and include a bit of site orientation as well. The tour will visit selected species in the area close to the exhibition venue. Approximately 45 minutes.

Taster talks with ZSL Whipsnade Zoo: These will showcase the sorts of public feed talks delivered by our team of Explainers and give a taste of what self-guided bookings might include. The talks will likely take place at the ring-tailed lemur and/or chimpanzee enclosures. Approximately 45 minutes.