Wild Space

The aim of the programme is to give students the opportunity to learn about the rainforest & polar areas of the world. Using an immersion learning environment, the main rooms in the Learning Space are transformed into the rainforest and polar region; with images on the plasma screens, as well as associated textures, sounds and smells. The activities include:

• Brainstorming what they already know about the two areas
• Philosophy Club- using photos of landscapes to generate questions & discussion 
• Animal adaptation- how are the animals who are native to the areas specially adapted to survive
• ‘Super Animal’- creating an imaginary ‘composite’ animal.

The programme has been adapted to suit a range of needs. For example, for a family learning group with a specific numeracy focus, emphasis was placed on the activities with a strong numeracy aspect, such as:

• Recreating the air temperature in the rainforest
• Find the polar bear’s snow cave, using an infrared sensor 
• Experimenting with ice: How long does it take to melt? What are the temperature differences between ice, hands and water?
• How many children could Sebastian the King Cobra eat?!