Good Idea: Fossil-finding project to boost children's independent learning
Gabriella Jozwiak
Monday, October 15, 2012
Provider B&C Educational
Name Rock the Wren’s Nest
Summary Primary school project encourages pupils to develop a deeper understanding of Dudley’s local history and geography, and promotes independent learning outside the classroom
“Fossils are real and the Latin name for the trilobite is Calymene blumenbachi.” This may be an unusual statement for an eight-year-old, but after one term of training in palaeontology, pupils of Foxyards Primary School in Dudley have learned a new way to appreciate their surroundings.
The spring term was a time of adventure for the 80 children in years three and four. Two “famous palaeontologists” arrived at the school, seeking recruits to help them with an archaeological project.
They were the founders of B&C Educational, a company commissioned by the school to design a project to encourage independent learning. The scheme aimed to stimulate pupils’ imaginations, get them out of the classroom and help them appreciate local heritage.
“We pretended we had found a trilobite and needed trainee fossil-finders to help us,” says Pam Copeland, co-director of B&C Educational.
The children’s first fossil finders’ excursion was to Wren’s Nest Hill – a local nature reserve close to the school. “They loved it and it made them realise there was more than just grass and hills, there was finding fossils,” says Des Bowden, also co-director at the firm. They were encouraged to search for fossils and identify them and explore limestone caverns and cliffs.
An evaluation of the project revealed increased interest in local history among the children and higher levels of independent learning. “It was fun and we got to learn new things, go on lots of trips and meet lots of new people,” one pupil says.
Copeland, meanwhile, noticed a change in the children’s behaviour. “When we go back into school, the children bring us little bits of gravel they have identified,” she adds.