NEWS FEED
The Big Jurassic Classroom has returned giving primary school teachers in Dorset and East Devon a unique opportunity to learn more about the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Discovery days are based at museums and visitor centres across the Jurassic Coast including the new Museum of Jurassic Marine Life in Kimmeridge, which will open this month (October).
The days are free to attend, thanks to funding from the Primary Science Teaching Trust. The charity’s purpose is to build expertise in schools that demonstrate excellence in science teaching.
Dr Anjana Ford, Learning and Participation Manager for the Jurassic Coast, said: “We are so excited to be offering teachers across Dorset and East Devon the chance to learn about the Jurassic Coast and all the new resources we have on offer. This unique opportunity to work with and learn from some of the most talented scientists in the field is not to be missed.” In previous years, teachers have worked on projects from preparing dinosaur bones at the Natural History Museum to laser-scanning dinosaur footprints in Purbeck.This year’s training programme looks just as exciting. Teachers will get to participate in hands-on scientific investigations with a resident scientist and will have special access to fossil and rock collections and be shown how to use them for inspirational teaching.
This is the final year of funding for the Big Jurassic Classroom and demand is expected to be high. To find out more and reserve your place, visit www.jurassiccoast.org/shop.
One of the highlights of this school year will be Dean Lomax from ITV’s Dinosaur Britain. In February, Dean will showcase his research on Ichthyosaurs. He will help teachers become palaeontologists for the day through hands-on investigations of real fossil specimens.
Dean will also be giving a public talk as part of the Thomas Hardye School Community Lectures in Dorchester on Wednesday 8 February 2017. To book, contact the Thomas Hardye School on 01305 266064 or visit www.thomas-hardye.net.
