We've teamed up with the RSPB
Using the natural environment when teaching is an important part of science education and something the ASE strongly advocates, which is why we're proud to support the RSPB's great Wild Challenge Award, and have been working with the nation's largest nature conservation charity to help teachers embrace the initiative.
The RSPB Wild Challenge Award urges children to explore their local environment (safely, of course) by issuing a series of simple challenges that have been designed to teach them about nature. Children are encouraged to work through the activities to earn "awards", in order to complete each activity and move a step closer to getting your award, you need to submit some confirmation to show that you've done it. This could be a photo, a drawing, a video, even a piece of writing, showing or describing their adventure.
There is already an excellent teacher-facing component of the project - the Schools Wild Challenge Award - which we thoroughly urge teachers to investigate when everyone is back in school. However, given the current Covid-19 situation we at the ASE wanted to help with the other side of the project, one orginally created for families to complete without educator input.
We wanted to help teachers consider whether they might be able to suggest these activities as part of their home-schooling delivery, so have created a series of worksheet to acompany each Wild Challenge that outlines specific aspects of the national curriculums of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland that the activity might cover...
Take the Wild Challenge...
Activity 1: Shake A Tree
"It's raining bugs! Tree-beating is a great way to discover an incredible world of minibeasts otherwise hidden in the branches above."
Activity 2: Feed the birds
"Giving birds a little extra food is a simple and fun way to help, especially when natural sources are low."
Activity 3: Trees, leaves and seeds
"There's more to wildlife than fur and feathers. Here's your chance to 'branch' out."
Activity 4: Wild Weather
"Rain or shine - can you help us measure the weather?"
Activity 5: Do a wildlife survey
"You don't have to be a scientist to help science! There are lots of creatures that we need to keep a sharp eye on."
Activity 6: Build a minibeast hotel
"Create a hotel full of different natural materials, to provide hidey-holes for creatures galore!"
Activity 7: Sounds of Spring
"We all know that our feathered friends are easy on the eye but have you ever stopped to listen to their stunning songs?"
Activity 8: Make a compost heap
"Fancy potato peelings, grass cuttings and onion skins for dinner? No? Well, we know wildlife that would!"
Activity 9: Plant Safari
"Do you know which types of plants and flowers grow all around?"
Activity 10: Amazing Moths
"If you thought all moths were brown and only concerned with headbutting your lightbulb, think again!"
Activity 11: Count your Wild Miles
"Wildlife has no choice but to use the power of its wings, fins and feet to move and some species make amazing migrations. Can you match a small proportion of their efforts in just a week?"