Learning activities - key stage 1 & 2
Below are listed some of the key stage 1 & 2 activities we cover at our Education Centre. However, if there is something in particular you would like us to cover on the themes of water and environment, please contact us and we will do our best to help.
The network challenge
Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to design, build and test a water supply network, simulating a real life engineering project. You will complete a fully functioning water network and 'supply' customers with water at a satisfactory flow from tower to tap, at the end of which real water must flow to all South Staffs Water customers. The Challenge is a whole morning or afternoon activity and ideally suited to Y6 pupils. We have capacity for 36 pupils using six groups with six pupils per group.
Visit Blithfield reservoir, dam and overflow
Walk along the dam and learn about the history of the Reservoir, why it was built and the problems we overcame when it was being built. Then along the overflow to look at where the water goes if the reservoir is full. Finally, go down the steps to the Stilling Pool and Tail Bay to learn why they were built.
Feed the fish at the fish farm
This activity is usually combined with a visit to the Reservoir. It's a fun way to end the morning, although don't get too close as the fish jump when fed!
Cleaning reservoir water
A 20 minute demonstration showing the basic processes we use to clean the water from Blithfield Reservoir and turn it into clean drinking water.
Learn about the water cycle
A 20 minute presentation and question and answer session to introduce the water cycle. This can be done as a quiz if pupils are familiar with the basic processes. We add Blithfield to the picture and build up another mini cycle of where the water goes to from the Reservoir to the tap and on to the sea.
Floating and sinking - make reservoir soup
Make reservoir soup and predict what will float, sink or mix in to the soup as we add objects to the mix. (30 minute activity).
Filtering dirty water
Your challenge is to clean the soup mix using a filter. We can test different filters (eg sand, gravel, cotton wool, cloth, filter paper) to see which makes the best filter. (40 minute activity).
Science experiments
How to get water you can drink from salty water. How acid or alkali is your water? Find out about water hardness and removing smells from water. Is all water the same?
River study
Visit Tad Brook for a practical activity to take measurements of speed of flow and depth of water. Draw a field sketch of the Brook, a dragonfly pond and take samples of water to test the pH of the pond and Brook. In the afternoon, walk to the River Blythe to observe the river habitats and the effect the water has on the land as it weaves on its way to join the River Trent. Note this activity is weather dependent and not suitable for a group larger than 30 pupils.
Rocks and soils
Compare and record differences in rock samples. Conduct an experiment to test for hardness on four different types of rocks. Collect soil samples from the woodland. Complete an I Spy worksheet comparing the oak soil with peat and clay soil. Test the different soils for permeability. (Whole day activity).
Water use in developing countries
A closer look at how people live in Namibia. Chris talks about his time as a teacher there and shares his experiences, maps and pictures. We look at what an aquifer is and pupils get the opportunity to make their own aquifer ready to take back to school to test. (Approx 1-1 ½ hour activity).
Water use and water conservation
A sequence of fun games to introduce how we can save water. To get a flavour, pupils can spend 10/15 minutes on each game, rotating around three different saving water activities. If you would prefer a short (15 minutes) whole class activity we have Water Use Cards to determine how much water every day activities use and how we can be more water efficient. We are also developing a school water audit – watch this space!
Water run-off comparisons
A short activity to demonstrate what happens to the soil if we have lots of rain and what happens if we pave over our gardens.
Pond dipping
Dip for creatures in our pond; the focus of the session can be on adaptation or food chains. We have two dipping platforms on our pond suitable for a maximum of 12 pupils at any one time. This activity can be combined with other woodland or classroom activities if the group is divided up. (30/40 minute activity).
Invertebrate hunting
Hunt for mini beasts in our woodland. Use a key to identify and record the type of creatures you have caught. (30-40 minute activity).
Woodland trail
A gentle walk down to the bird hide at the reservoir. A trail sheet is available if required. In spring/early summer a walk through the wild flower meadow is a delight. (30-40 minute activity).
Habitat trail
A walk through the Beech Wood. Learn about the habitats of the creatures that live here. Find the clay prints leading to rabbit, fox and badger habitats. Look out for the squirrel dray and hedgehog nest. (40 minute activity).
Bird watching and identification
Blithfield reservoir originally gained its SSSI status for the range of wildfowl it attracts. Study species identification and classification by observing the birds and recording your findings. Binoculars are available upon request. (30-40 minute activity).
Food chains and webs
We can incorporate work on food chains in any of the activities or as a separate session in a plenary at the close of day.
Data logging
We have two new data loggers which can be used in activities to measure light and temperature at various points in the woodland. What do the results tell us? (30/40 minute activity).
Interdependence and adaptations
A woodland walk focussing on feeding relationships and habitats. This is followed by a classroom activity looking at roots and leaves and a soil comparison. (This activity is weather dependent). (Whole day activity).
Micro-organisms
A walk through the woods looking at how microbes recycle the organisms within the woodland. Set up an investigation to find out what conditions they work best in. (Morning or afternoon activity).
The Weather
Measure the rainfall in various locations in the woodland. Measure cloud cover in octas. Combine these activities with measuring light levels in the woodland or looking at water run-off. (Morning or afternoon activity).
Environmental and water games
Pupils have fun, burn off some energy and learn at the same time. We have various games we can play to underpin learning – for example, The Food Chain Game, The Wetland Game (to demonstrate what happens when wetlands are destroyed), The Food Energy Game (to demonstrate how energy gets lost along the food chain) and How to Save Water Games.