John Ball Primary School

John Ball Outdoor Investigation Project

Teacher: Mrs Beth Budden
Scientist: Dr June Chatfield ARCS FBNA, Field Naturalist & Biological Scientist, British Naturalist Association

Investigating minibeasts.

"Awesome, I've never seen anything that close up!"

The John Ball Outdoor Investigation Project successfully converted overgrown, woodland areas within John Ball School grounds into science investigation areas for all 420 pupils to use regularly. The children have been engaged in all aspects of science investigation possible outdoors from plant and animal classification and surveys and growing investigations to light and sound enquiries, under the guidance of highly experienced naturalists, Dr June Chatfield and Tom Thomas of the BNA (British Naturalists' Association).

Dr Chatfield led initial wildlife walks with the children and advised teachers on ways to survey the plants and animals, including ways the children can observe and monitor wildlife. As a partner with the school the BNA will continue to provide advice and guidance in the long term regarding the preservation, observation and monitoring of these wildlife areas. In the late spring we plan to have a 'pond week' and for BNA naturalists to return for pond studies with classes, as well as continuing with the original nature surveys and investigations. Through our surveys we also plan to add to the BNA phenological survey on an ongoing basis.

"I like investigating in the woods and using the magnifiers to see what's there."

This innovative project has provided the following investigative facilities, bought using the Royal Society Partnership Grant:

• Extensive minibeast investigation and nature trails including log and bricks piles and carpet tracks.
• A pond area for pond dipping and fresh water exploration.
• Feeding points for investigating birds and other animals.
• An array of equipment for outdoor investigation including ground magnifiers compasses, light meters, collecting pots and microscopes.
• A data logger for measuring and recording data in investigations.
• Digital recording cameras  for children  to  carry  out and   log  their own investigations.
• A series of small weather stations for monitoring and surveying climate.
• A growing area for investigations with growing and growing materials.
• Wet weather equipment.
• Secure storage for easy access to certain equipment outside.

"I liked using the compasses and finding where the light went."

As well as the children becoming much more enthusiastic about science and learning outside, the teachers have more enthusiasm for taking classes outside for science. They have also been introduced to a new range of equipment and been shown how to use it. Parents have been very enthusiastic about the project and gave their free time to clearing parts of the outdoor areas.

"It's wicked looking in the microscope at things."

In addition, science in schools has historically put more emphasis on scientific subject knowledge rather than scientific skills. By its nature this project has put a large emphasis on honing the children's scientific enquiry skills. It is evident to all that these science investigations outdoors have served as a platform for this, stimulating interest and curiosity in 'real' science as opposed to activities 'staged' in the more artificial classroom environment.

"I never knew there were so many types of ladybirds!"

Overall John Ball children now 'notice' their outdoor environment much more. The children are stimulated by their surroundings and ask questions of what they 'notice', which is after all 'real science' and what will inevitably create our scientists of the future.