Kids go wild for zoo bus’ school visits
Conservation class
West Lothian primary schools have been hosting the Wild about Scotland bus.
The vehicle acts as a mobile classroom aimed at teaching children about Scotland’s endangered species and how to protect them. The awardwinning campaign is part of a partnership between the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and Clydesdale Bank to help engage the next generation of conservationists, while also bringing the expertise available at RZSS to communities that might not otherwise be able to experience it.
The bus stopped in West Lothian, engaging 878 children from schools including St John the Baptist, Addiewell, Pumpherston, Uphall, Letham and Williamston primary schools. Teaching up to 26 children at a time, the onboard specialist education team gave interactive lessons on native Scottish species, their habitats and environments. Typical lessons include searching for wildlife species, mini- beast hunts and building beaver dams in addition to learning about endangered Scottish species such as the Scottish wildcat. As part of the legacy of the campaign, pupils are also left with tree saplings to plant in school grounds to help offset carbon emissions from the Wild about Scotland bus.
Additionally, the Wild about Scotland Virtual Learning Environment, an online digital learning resource, has also just launched.
Barbara Smith, acting chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said: “As part of our outreach education work, and in keeping with the mission of our Society since its inception over 100 years ago, we want to reach out as far and wide as possible to inform and connect people to nature, hoping to instil in them a lifelong appreciation and respect for wildlife and the environment.”