A new activity involving the exploration of our beach environment, igniting curiosity for coastal areas. Focusing on easily found wildlife, tides and weather, and maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
The session is likely to include:
- Walking to the beach
- Discussing weather considerations with group
- Looking for wading birds in reserve
- Discussing tides and trying to mark/measure in some way when at beach
- Splitting into small groups and working on ‘Beach Comber Quest’ activity sheets
- Discussing findings on The Quest and any interesting information
- Making beach art in small groups (sculptures using beach materials)
- Retrieving tide marking sticks and measuring the amount of tidal movement from start to end of session
- Finishing with a litter sweep
Potential learning outcomes:
Links to biology (wildlife classification)
Links to geography (natural forces like weather and tides)
Developing appreciation and engagement with the natural environment
Foster creativity (see below)
Further development/variation for different abilities:
This session can be adapted to suit different ages and abilities by the depth of discussion about wildlife, tides, weather and environmental issues. The instructor can add to the session if they have facts, stories or games that are relevant to the coastal environment. The Beach Comber Quest activity pack has links with the science national curriculum. Information on links with the NC (and what this adds to a session) can be found on the instructor guide to the BCQ.
There is also the chance to encourage creativity by asking children to create stories based on objects they find or even sculptures.
In adverse weather - elements of the session can be moved indoors or to areas of shelter. Identifying and discussing findings can easily be moved with appropriate containers.
