For over 20 years the Scottish Seabird Centre has been helping people to learn about Scotland’s marine wildlife and seabirds. Our base on the edge of the Firth of Forth in East Lothian gives us access to amazing coastal seascapes and underwater environments. These include the Bass Rock which supports the world’s largest colony of northern gannets. We want everyone to be able to engage with Scotland’s marine environment and understand how to protect it.
Each of our ‘Dive-In’ resource packs is created around a marine-related theme and contains a mix of facts, puzzles and other activities.
Our Citizen Science pack is aimed at primary school age children and looks at how anyone can contribute to scientific projects.
Our Marine Renewable Energy pack (in collaboration with the European Marine Energy Centre) and Marine Science Careers pack would suit late Primary and early Secondary years.
In our ‘Seaside Science’ video you will discover more about ocean acidification, which is connected to climate change and you can try this experiment at home. If you would like further information on our resources please see: www.seabird.org
Citizen science is the driving force behind conservation work in Scotland, and it’s integral to the work that NatureScot does. Taking part in Citizen Science is a really useful way of helping the environment and expanding our scientific knowledge. Information gathered by Citizen Scientists is vital to scientists across Scotland in understanding how the environment is doing and where more action is needed. By getting involved you really can make a difference! There are different surveys to take part in depending on how much time you have to spend, and many of them don’t require any previous knowledge. Check out these great resources spanning a range of areas, habitats and species.
Climate change and nature loss are the greatest global threats we face – we’ve already lost nearly 25% of our wildlife in Scotland. But there is hope. Looking after nature is good for us, the planet and wildlife. We’ve lots of simple ways to Make Space For Nature in your life – and help reverse nature loss.
Per- or poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 4,700 industrial chemicals used in everyday products.
Have you bought a Teflon frying pan? Is there PTFE in your bike oil? Have you seen ‘PFC-free’ labels on waterproofs? These are all terms used for PFAS. PFAS are a group of over 4700 industrial chemicals, widely used in everyday products from food packaging, toiletries and non-stick cookware to clothing and carpets.
Since PFAS first came into common use in the 1950s their number of uses (and the number of names for them) has sky rocketed, PFAS are often referred to as the ‘forever chemicals’ because of their extreme persistence in the environment. Some forms of PFAS can take over 1000 years to degrade. This persistence is why the actions we take today have such a huge effect on the state of our world tomorrow. A paper bag might disintegrate and slowly disappear from sight, but the chemicals left behind could be damaging the environment for thousands for years.
Thousands of people are logging nurdle finds on beaches for Fidra’s Great Nurdle Hunt. Plastic pollution is widespread but you can be part of a group of people who care about the damaging effects nurdles have on our beaches, seas and wildlife.
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BCT) are looking out for our bumblebee friends. Find out more about these wonderful insects and what you can do to safeguard their future in the BCT Learning Zone
Fun and educational activities
Our free educational activities are designed for children and young persons from age 4 to 11+ to develop their knowledge and understanding of bumblebees, the challenges and threats they face, and how children can become a guardian of bumblebees to secure their future.
Many people have asked if we have a survey sheet children can use to spot bumblebees in their gardens, on walks or from their window. You can now download this ID spotter sheet to record your findings.
Why not share your findings with us through social media* or email them to media@bumblebeeconservation.org. *You must ask a parent/guardian permission.
The Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BCT) are looking out for our bumblebee friends. Find out more about these wonderful insects and what you can do to safeguard their future in the BCT Learning Zone.
Fun and educational activities
Our free educational activities are designed for children and young persons from age 4 to 11+ to develop their knowledge and understanding of bumblebees, the challenges and threats they face, and how children can become a guardian of bumblebees to secure their future.
Many people have asked if we have a survey sheet children can use to spot bumblebees in their gardens, on walks or from their window. You can now download this ID spotter sheet to record your findings.
Why not share your findings with us through social media* or email them to media@bumblebeeconservation.org. *You must ask a parent/guardian permission.
Did You Know: There are over 200 species of bee in the British Isles alone! These pollinating insects are fascinating creatures. There are many organisations devoted to celebrating and conserving individual species, and they can help you to identify bees and wasps.
We have a series of poster factsheets covering key pollinators. These can be printed out up to A3 size and feature a lovely full colour species photograph on one side and a range of facts, puzzles and jokes on the reverse side.
Wasps may threaten to spoil your picnic, but without them, your party could have been deprived of bread, beer and wine. Yeast (specifically, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has been fundamental to baking, brewing and winemaking throughout human history. In nature, yeast cells are found primarily on ripe fruits during the summer months. Since yeast is not airborne, it must rely on vectors, such as wasps, to move from plant to plant.
The FIT Count (Flower-Insect Timed Count) is a simple survey that collects data on the total number of insects that visit a particular flower, ideally chosen from our list of 14 target flowers. FIT Counts can be done anywhere, including gardens and parks, in warm, dry weather any time from April to September.
For more information on PoMS FIT Count and how to take part see the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme website: www.ukpoms.org.uk
Did you know that 80% of marine litter comes from land and further upstream? Join Heather from Keep Scotland Beautiful as we learn about their citizen science project ‘Upstream Battle’ which aims to tackle marine litter from its source. Discover how you can get involved to help prevent marine litter at its source along the River Clyde.
Help to tackle marine litter at its source with the Upstream Battle campaign from Keep Scotland Beautiful. These resources are designed to help you and your class, or your family, explore the impacts of litter and take actions to protect our waterways and oceans. You can use this guide to plan and carry out a survey of the litter along a waterway in your local area within the Clyde Valley and clean it up as you go. By taking part, not only are you helping to take care of your environment but the data you collect will help Keep Scotland Beautiful monitor litter patterns and will prevent the littler entering our oceans.
Learn about Renfrewshire Council’s exciting environmental improvement campaign ‘Team Up to Clean Up’ which is on a mission tackle the problem of litter in our local communities, one litter pick at a time.
