We are delighted to announce the return of the Big Jurassic Classroom, offering all primary school teachers across Dorset and East Devon a unique opportunity to learn more about our incredible Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. One of the highlights will be Dean Lomax from ITV’s Dinosaur Britain. On 8th February 2017, Dean will showcase his research on Ichthyosaurs and help teachers to become palaeontologists for the day through hands on investigations of real fossil specimens.
The Discovery Days are based at museums and visitor centres across the Jurassic Coast, including the new Museum of Jurassic Marine Life in Kimmeridge, opening in October 2016. The days are free to attend, thanks to funding from the Primary Science Teaching Trust, a charity whose sole purpose is to build expertise in schools nationally that demonstrate excellence in science teaching. This is the final year of funding, so make sure you book your place soon, as we are anticipating a huge level of demand! You can find out more and reserve your place on our online shop.
Jurassic Coast Earth Scientists, Dr Anjana Ford (left) and Katrina Dixon (right) with Emma Yates (centre) a Primary School teacher explore the Triassic rocks at Sidmouth as part of our teacher development programme.
Dr Anjana Ford, Learning and Participation Manager for the Jurassic Coast says “We are so excited to be offering teachers across Dorset and East Devon the chance to learn about the Jurassic Coast and all the new resources we have on offer. This unique opportunity to work with and learn from some of the most talented scientists in the field is not to be missed”.
In previous years, teachers have worked on projects from preparing dinosaur bones at the Natural History Museum in London to laser scanning dinosaur footprints in Purbeck. This year’s training programme looks just as exciting. Teachers will get to participate in hands-on scientific investigations with a resident scientist and will have special access to fossil and rock collections and be shown how to use them for inspirational teaching.
Dean Lomax will also be giving a public talk as part of the Thomas Hardye School Community Lectures, in Dorchester on the evening of Wednesday 8th February. To book, please contact the Thomas Hardye School on 01305 266064 or visit their community lectures website.
