RSPB outdoor classroom initiative encourages exploration

Amy Reynolds, 11, left, and Grace Budds, 10, study a slug they have found in a tree while searching for living things in a RSPB Bioblitz in Brundall Primary School grounds. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

The Outdoor Classroom Day project was started by the society to inspire students and teachers to learn and play outdoors.

Called BioBlitz, the project sees pupils spend 30 minutes on their school grounds searching for as many living things as possible.

Harry Rowland and Preston Gibbons, two year six classmates from Brundall Primary School who took part, said it had been loads of fun. 'It's a lot better than spending time in the classroom,' they said.

Xavier Coutinho and Louis Melville said they had never noticed so many 'bugs' on their school sports field before. 'We found a snail, spider, ant, ladybug, wasp and a hoverfly,' said Xavier.

RSPB schools outreach project officer, Clare Whitelegg, searching for living things in a RSPB Bioblitz with Jack Sayer, centre, 11, and James Rowsell, 11, in Brundall Primary School grounds. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

The children were introduced to the project by Glenda Saunders, RSPB community nature champion. The class was divided into pairs and given brushes and small transparent 'pots' with a magnifying glass on the lid. 'We're not giving you the brush to paint the insects,' she said. 'You use it to gently brush the insect into your pot so you can study it.'

Once they had finished studying the insects, the pupils were told to place them back carefully where they had found them.

Class teacher Harriet Power said the exercise provided a welcome change for the pupils. 'We're lucky because here at Brundall we've got fantastic grounds for this sort of thing,' she said.

RSPB schools outreach project officer Clare Whitelegg said Bioblitz was a fun way to explore and discover. She said the project, which was run at various schools, was made possible thanks to Networks for Nature, funded by HLF, and the RSPB's Schools Outreach Programme funded by and in partnership with Aldi.

Katie Mann, 11, left, and Gracie Sampson, 10, study a millipede they have found while searching for living things in a RSPB Bioblitz in Brundall Primary School grounds. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

'It is a really popular programme,' she said. 'The kids love it and we get brilliant feedback from them.' If you would like you school to take part, contact the RSPB at www.rspb.org.uk

Pots at the ready as pupils, from left, Katie Mann, 11; Gracie Sampson, 10; Tom Haime, 10; and Joe Wiggett, 11; search a sheet for living things after shaking the tree above, in a RSPB Bioblitz in Brundall Primary School grounds. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)