Old Macdonald’s Farm is not only an important place for schools to visit but we want to make our website an invaluable asset for pupils as well. Following the successful Teachers’ Day held here on February 6th, we are looking to improve the information we provide so that schools can encourage their pupils to learn from us even when they are at their desk or on their laptop.
That is why we are offering all schools the opportunity to email us with questions and queries from their students on any of the many subjects we cover. For instance this could cover Food and Farming, such a vital news topic at present with rising food prices around the world leading to poverty and difficulty. Then there is Climate Change and threats to Bio Diversity. Did you know that there are many native British species that have almost been lost in recent years? These are as diverse as the Ladybird Spider, native to Dorset with only 56 found 25 years ago but now built up to 1,000, and the Pool Frog Rana which had to be reintroduced to the wild. There are mosses and ferns too that are in danger of being lost, and any loss to the natural mix can have impacts on all of us. There is even a giant horse, the Suffolk Punch, which is still critically threatened and so it is not just bugs and plants but large, magnificent, mammals too.
We at Old MacDonald’s were part of the International Year of Bio Diversity along with other members of BIAZA (the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and we are featured in their fascinating Magazine Lifelines (visit http://www.biaza.org.uk/resources/library/images/LIFELINES%20No%20111.pdf to find a copy). We would love school children to do their own research into the dangers facing British Flora and Fauna and to send their findings to us so we can publish them, and the names of the children who have done the work. For instance, we challenge schools to look at the potential impact of the proposals to sell off the nation’s woodlands on Britain’s bio diversity. Another topical subject for you to consider.
We host a number of animals here at Old Macdonald’s Farm who have been threatened with extinction, including the Kune Kune pigs, our Malaysian Otters, the European Eagle Owl and many more. We can provide information to schools on these by emailing us at info@omdfarm.co.uk. Our special display on Climate Change will encourage children to think about this subject and discuss their views, perhaps even challenge our own. For instance, do children think this matters? Do they believe in climate change? What can they learn from other sources about the world in which we live, and how can they recommend that Old Macdonald’s Farm improves what we do to have an impact? We will publish all views and encourage on line debate.
We have access to resources from BIAZA and other organisations of whom we are members and therefore can help you with research, and point your pupils in the right direction to gain expert advice when we cannot provide this from our own staff team.
Finally, we offer schools the opportunity to have their pupils’ work published on our website on any of the above topics or on any others they may consider. History of Farming may be of interest to them, cultural and religious views to some animals; factory farming and use of Genetically Modified foods may be subjects they want to debate. Use us as a resource on line as well as at the farm. Alternatively, children may just want to send us their experiences here at the farm and their thoughts and views.
Plus, and we hope this excites you even more, all schools who sign up for this on line project will receive special price concessions for their school and for their pupils to make repeat visits both in school groups and in their own time with their families to learn here at the farm. We recognise that school budgets this year will be tight and want to make sure we give value for money and a great educational experience. Old Macdonald is committed to this, but he can only achieve it with your help and participation. That is why all schools who book from now on can bring one adult free for every 5 children who join their group.
Those many teachers who came on Teachers’ Day came up with this idea, so now let us make it work.
