Projects  

The History of Plants in Medicine

The ELC have plans to build a wildlife friendly, showcase garden next year. Incorporated into the design are medicinal plant beds – one that specialises in plants used during the Great Plague, and another that specialises in plants that were considered important by Yeomen during the medieval era.

One of the activities that we offer primary schools focuses on the history of plants in medicine from the Romans to modern day. In the activity students receive a medical booklet that contains the symptoms for six illnesses that have been frequent throughout history and are still common today. They then receive a ‘patient’ and have to read through their case study in order to make a diagnosis. Once the illness has been established they receive a selection of historical remedies and have to work out which were used to try and cure the illness. The historical remedies are compared with modern day treatments in order to observe how modern day medicine has advanced over the centuries. Students create a poster to display the information they have collected throughout the day.

Mayfly in the Classroom

Mayfly in Classroom, developed by Paul Gaskell of the Wild Trout Trust, teaches pupils about the ecology of river corridors and stream, as well as understanding the threats to these ecosystems. The project also studies lifecycles through the raising of the mayflies, and adaptations.

The project involves each class setting up an ‘aquaria’ in which to raise some almost mature mayfly nymphs. The children then take part in a ‘release day,’ taking the mayflies back to their native stream.

The relationship between trout and mayflies is explored through the context of stream food webs along with the inter-dependence of habitat, water quality and diverse flora/fauna in both aquatic and riparian zones.

It can be linked to key stage 2 Science, Unit 6A: Interdependence and Adaptation and Unit 5_6H: Enquiry in Environmental and Technological Contexts.

Minibeast Habitats

This activity investigates the different types of invertebrates and where they like to live. By comparing different environments (e.g. woodland, grassland and shrub layers) we are able to determine where specific species are most commonly found. We are able to measure the temperature, light levels, humidity and pH for the different environments using data loggers to provide abiotic data.

Stream Study

With the Oakbrook Brook stream onsite we have the ability to carry out stream investigations throughout the year. We have the equipment to measure the river velocity, long profile, valley gradient and cross-section of the stream. Aims of this activity include:

-          Comparing the features of the upper and middle course of the Oakbrook stream. 

-          Measuring and collecting data from the middle course of the stream.

-          Looking for evidence of erosion and deposition on the stream.

 How do Plants Grow Well?

A variety of activities are provided that look at the interesting world of plants.

1. What do all these things have in common – this activity looks are a variety of items made from plants and looks at the negative and positive impacts of producing the items.
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3. Parts of a plant – a selection of fruit and vegetables are provided, which students have to identity. Each fruit/vegetable has to be matched with the plant it originated from. The parts of the plant are identified and the part of the plant you eat.
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5. Scavenger hunt – A member of staff provides clues that help to locate different areas of the woodland that highlight good examples of different parts of a plant. At each location a series of questions need to be answered before the next clue is given.
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7. Keyhole gardens - A keyhole garden is a type of kitchen garden that recycles as it grows. The design - which looks like a keyhole from above - incorporates a central 'basket' where compostable waste is placed and water is poured. They are used in Africa, as they are especially useful in areas where good soil and water is scarce, often adding nutritious vegetables to diets. Students learn about Mpho a boy living in Lesotho and how his keyhole garden helps him. Each student is then able to make a mini-keyhole garden to take back home.

Please Contact Us for further information. We are happy to custom-make activities to suit specific requirements.