‘Magic’ sandbox teaches Brownies about science
Lochaber Geopark launched its innovative new iSandBox last week, making it only the third place in Scotland to showcase the technology.
The box creates an interactive projection of lakes, rivers, ice, volcanoes and contours onto mounds of sand, incorporating science learning and creativity.
Only two other places in Scotland have this equipment – Aberdeen Science Centre and Dundee Science Centre – so the geopark team were keen to show off the new iSandBox last Wednesday night when they invited a group of Brownies to their Fort William visitor centre.
The geopark team used the sandbox to teach the Brownies about the landscapes of Lochaber, running rivers, formation of glaciers, season changes and rock stacking. As well as this, the evening provided an opportunity to introduce the young girls to STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) and get them thinking about women working in science.
The sandbox is particularly useful in helping children learn about various STEMrelated themes such as topography, numbers, the environment, geology, colours, construction, engineering, design, technology and map reading. It also helps develop children’s communication skills and team building.
Project officer and STEM ambassador Isla Mackay said: ‘The iSandBox is a new, innovative tool to get children into learning STEM – which is important to the geopark. The Brownies loved it – especially making a volcano that erupted.’
Lochaber Geopark is proud to support STEM learning and employs an ambassador on the subject and recently sponsored the successful first primary STEM fair, which featured a geological workshop and was organised by company director Emily Brown.
‘There isn’t a child on this planet who doesn’t like playing with sand,’ said professor Ian Parsons, of Edinburgh University. ‘Using this magic sandbox in the Lochaber Geopark visitor centre, they learn about contours and the way lakes and rivers relate to the landscape, while having a great deal of fun.’
Visit the new iSandBox at Lochaber Geopark’s visitor centre, 55A High Street, Fort William, from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday.