Back To School

On Tuesday we were invited to talk at Hillhead Primary school as part of the primary four’s Oceans Alive project. This project was specifically chosen due to us expressing our interest in coming to talk to the classes and it has been a great success overall.

We spent over an hour in three different classes. Lydia spoke about coral reefs; where they are found, what they are made of and what corals look like. I spoke about the fishes and bigger animals that use the reef like turtles, rays, butterfly fish and groupers. We even explained the different sections of the reef - inner, edge, and outer - usually something only us scientists know!

 

Lydia explaining staghorn corals to the class

Butterfly fish eat the coral and have cool ways to escape predators

Then we talked about the threats coral reefs are facing and the work we plan on carrying out in the Red Sea this summer. Are the reefs healthy? Are there still lots of fish using the reef?

Next it was on to all of us showing around a number of specimens of corals, provided by the Universities Zoology Museum for the day. From small specimens of Staghorn coral and Fire coral to a very large Brain coral, the pupils could get a real sense of the coral structure and that corals are not just one animal but are made up of thousands of tiny “polyps”.

Our next exercise was to help the children identify different reef fish species using identification books and cards. The pupils learned that biologists need to first look at the shape of the fish and then use the fish’s colour and pattern to get an exact match!

 

Identifying reef fish

The impact of our expedition being joined with this school did not only last one day. As part of the Oceans Alive project, the school children have already had a go at making corals out of clay. We were very impressed by them and can’t wait till they are finished - please send us photos of them!

And it doesn't stop there. We have asked the classes to design us a new expedition logo and the winning design will be printed on our t-shirts and hoodies as well as being posted on our blog and webpage.  We are super excited!

 

branching corals made from clay - good job!

For us, the pupil’s enthusiasm to learn about the reefs and the huge number of questions they asked was very rewarding. Well done to everyone and we really hope that we can return after our expedition and tell you about our findings and our adventures!

 

Thanks for having us Hillhead Primary!