Going Wild about Scotland through November 2016

27/12/2016 in RZSS

The arrival of the colder weather didn’t stop us from getting out and about across Scotland this month including visits to Dundee, Ayrshire, Stirlingshire, Fife and the Lothians.

November began with a week taking part in the Dundee Science Festival where we delivered sessions to pupils as part of their science week. We also enjoyed a Wild Day out at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo where we had over 300 people on board the bus including lots of Brownie and Scout groups. Dundee invited us, along with lots of other organisations, back for the last day of their Science Festival during which families hopped on board the bus outside the Dundee Science Centre to take part in Scottish nature activities. 

The following week gave us a chance to spend some time at schools in Stirling and Falkirk. It was also Jamie’s last week as he had been offered a job with the Forth Fisheries Trust and although we are all sad to see him go we wish him well in his next adventure which we are sure he will do fab in. We will miss his knowledge and expertise, but it isn’t all bad news though as we are excited to welcome new Education Officer Rosie to the team. There was a quick hand over and Rosie was able to see Jamie and I in action so she was ready to take on the challenge. The bus was at the Zoo for a couple of days for Rosie to see how everything is organised and set up, then it was off to Ayrshire to let Rosie start some teaching. We went to a few schools and taught a variety of the sessions which was a great start for Rosie.

The next weekend was the Members’ and Adopters’ event at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo which was well attended with over 200 people coming on board the bus. It was great to have people who know RZSS well visiting the bus. It gave those who have heard about the programme a chance to see the bus and what it has to offer.

Fife was next on the agenda visiting Balcurvie PS, Falkland PS, Ceres PS and Torbain PS. The week was also the start of us giving out our next set of tree saplings to schools. The Woodland Trust have kindly donated tree saplings for us to distribute to help offset our carbon. Torbain PS was also our biggest assembly yet with over 400 pupils and staff in attendance!!

To finish off the month we had a visits to Polkemmet PS and Eastmuir PS. Overall during the month we visited 14 schools over 8 local authorities. We are excited about a few more weeks of school trips before getting ready for Christmas, when we will get the chance to develop our Virtual Learning World to allow teachers and their classes to continue to learn about amazing Scottish animals.

 

See you next month,

Kirsty and Rosie

Wild about Scotland Education Officers

 

Top comments from schools this month…

“The kids were engaged throughout which is a difficult task! Well done!!” Camperdown PS

“Great session, kids really enjoyed it and will give them lots to build on for their topic.” Camperdown PS

“It is really good to have something like this come to the school. All children were engaged in the activity which sustained the interest for all. I really liked the conclusion session and round up at the end.” Balcurvie PS

“Really good session and children all achieved at their own level through collaborative learning.” Polkemmet PS

 

Top comments from members of the public this month…

“It is wonderful. Very clever, thank you” Aimee, Edinburgh

“A very cool and educational bus” Kerry, Edinburgh

“Really good fun for all. 5 star” Peter, Kirkcaldy

“Brilliant bus. Really enjoyed it” Annie, South Shields

 

Our tree saplings arrived! They'll be planted in school grounds across Scotland! Thank you @WoodlandTrust #carbonoffsetting #C02 #LetItGrow pic.twitter.com/UQ4OJTxoe5

— Wild about Scotland (@WildaboutScot) 8 November 2016

 

To celebrate #StAndrewsDay Brodie is reading up on all the #Scottish animals he can see on his biodiversity guide :) pic.twitter.com/Sajo0BZS9U

— Wild about Scotland (@WildaboutScot) 30 November 2016

 

Brilliant news from @rzss and @ScotWildlife! Beavers are officially back! https://t.co/TdUAiYrPHl

— Wild about Scotland (@WildaboutScot) 24 November 2016