School of Biology University of St Andrews

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Outreach - Schools - General Interest
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Please have a look at the video of our first school visit...

...and read about what some of the children enjoyed most about their trip...
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letter from Rowan at Balcurvie
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letter from Jessica at Balcurvie

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comicThe children also produced this comic about their visit...

"Seaside Science"

Teachers interested in organising a trip should contact Lorna Sibbett directly on
lrs2@st-andrews.ac.uk

O’ I do like to be beside the seaside, o’ I do like to be beside the sea…a’hem! Here at the University of St Andrews we love being so close to the seaside and we want to share that with you.  We host and support school trips to the East Sands to investigate the biodiversity lurking in the rock pools. 

Our resident marine scientists will guide you in explorations of rock pools looking at all the different types of sea-weed, anemones, crabs and limpets then back to our teaching labs at the Scottish Oceans Institute (SOI) where pupils can get up close and personal with starfish, fan worms, lug worms, eels, hermit crabs and lots more! 

Engaging with the local environment can be used as an opportunity to deepen understanding for the wider application of science, in particular in the assessment of rock pool diversity children shall be encouraged to make connections between this diversity and the balance of an ecosystem.  These excursions tie in with Curriculum for Excellence requirements for children to develop curiosity and understanding for the natural world in their locality, and in particular they will develop the skills for an investigative approach to discovery.  Learners shall be encouraged to consider human impact on the beach environment and in-turn consider potential impact on local biodiversity where relevant.  Safety measures will be addressed, and in particular the potential hazards associated with a rock pooling activity.