STEM Clubs

School: Ratton School Status: Completed Date Started: 5 Oct 2009 Date Completed: 30 Jun 2009 Keywords tags: Science No of pupils: 11 Number of views: 2446 Related Resources:
Ecology Study in Local Park (558 KB)

Ratton students get close to nature in the Park.

Fourteen Year 7 students were privileged to take part in a unique scientific study of the ecology of Hampden Park and the Decoy pond in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Every Thursday evening students have donned wellington boots and their notebooks to get a close up of the creatures and plants in the Park.

The sessions have been assisted by the charismatic ‘Pete the Pond’ a local pond warden and water ecology specialist. Our students have enjoyed finding out about water creatures, harmful and edible wild plants, and problems of environmental pollution and damage.

This after-school activity has been supported by the ‘Friends of Hampden Park’ who look after the interest of the 100-year old park and woods. The arboriculturalist from Eastbourne Borough Council has also given a special talk to our students regarding the area of special scientific interest in the Ham Woods.

The environmental study concluded with students giving a presentation to their parents and ‘Friends of Hampden Park’ conservation group at a special evening event to cascade the findings to the community.