Science shares at Colchester Zoo
By Jo Montgomery, GSSfS Champion
The 2022 Great Science Share for Schools at the zoo was such a roaring success and it’s going to happen again this June! We are delighted that the Colchester Zoo team are welcoming schools back for more science sharing in 2023!
Be inspired: Taking a look around the zoo, seeing the animals and hearing from scientists and zoo keepers, provide inspiring contexts and settings for pupils to ask-investigate and share their own scientific questions. The zoo was filled with curious questions and new insights and discoveries the pupils made.
Be supported: Using the GSSfS Question Makers, Great Science Skills Starters, Great Science Ideas, Great Science People and more, teachers can support pupils in to ask and develop their scientific questions and to learn more about how to gather and interpret data and draw conclusions.
Be scientific: We saw a diverse range of projects – ably demonstrated, explained and presented by groups of children – including pond dipping surveys, investigating pollution around the school grounds, exploring materials and friction, and comparing lung capacity and heart rate with height.
“The opportunity to share the Zoo’s work with pupils has been amazing. They responded with some great questions and to then see them share their science with their peers and Zoo staff was really positive!”
From very confident 5 year olds, to the older Year 6 pupils (aged 11), there was a real mix of question types and science topics. Most, if not all, were linked to curriculum learning! Pupils engaged with new audiences to share their work which provided ample opportunity to develop their own confidence and communication skills, whilst applying their learning to questions asked by adults and peers. Many commented they’d also learnt something new in science too.
“I have found out a about a zoo and how it works. I really enjoyed it and feel like a scientist”
“A great opportunity for pupils to share their learning with fellow pupils. Brilliant for developing independence.”
Be involved: With this year’s Great Science Share for Schools theme being Science Around Us[LB1] , it’s another exciting opportunity to link with the living world and animals at the zoo! If you are a zoo, or other cultural organisation, it’s worthwhile exploring how your location can support young people to share science. For advice, get in touch with the team, and GSSfS Champions can give you the information you need to host a Great Science Share event or be a supporter!
The Great Science Share for Schools is designed for any group or organisation working with school-aged pupils. It can be adapted to different settings, whether that’s cultural spaces like libraries, museums or art galleries, or outdoor spaces such as gardens, zoos and parks.
Sharing science takes place everywhere - where will you share science on 13th June 2023?
Will you be involved this year?
If you’re local, you can sign up to attend Colchester Zoo’s Great Science Share on June 13th by contacting the Zoo’s education team at education@colchesterzoo.org to receive a booking form to sign up for the event.
Note: You must be registered to www.greatscienceshare.org to be eligible to take part.