Dr Jo Anna Reed Johnson, Institute of Education Catherine Smith, MERL
Update on Stage 1:
For 2021-22 we have set up the Bee Meadow Project with the Funding of £1700 received. It is a project to enhance the University-Community relationships and help student and staff with extra- curricular activities. It also links very nicely with the Sustainable Development Gaols 2 and 15.
The area was selected (London Road Campus between L33 and L29) and risk assessments completed. The site will be launched on 20 May 2022, World Bee Day where the competition winners (6 primary school children) will be awarded with a certificate, book and activity pack related to Bees. There were over 70 entrants to the competition.
The Bee Expert, Robin Dean is building the bee hotel to incorporate the winners’ ideas, and this will be unveiled at the launch. The School of Agriculture will be providing some activities, including a pollinator game and bumblearium, at the Launch event.
In addition, we have partnered with MERL in developing the site, planting, working with volunteers. The IOE have developed an ITT Framework for Climate and Sustainability Education, as part of the National Action Plan on Climate Education, which will be rolled out as a pilot project in 2022-23. This leads to Stage 2 and a request for further funding.
STAGE 2 possible ideas:
Further development of the site (including biodiversity) and teaching resources in collaboration with the Teaching Hub and MERL. Working across programmes within the IOE and sharing practice with colleagues. Establishing this as a learning laboratory through which research projects can evolve so that we can understand more about how animals, people and young people engage and collaborate with their environment and the extent to which it enhances their well-being and knowledge and/or actions related to climate change.
Possible Costs:
Groundwork for installing the Bee Hotel at MERL – £200
Groundwork for some further maintenance and development of the IOE Meadow area – £500
Water Feature (we will try to source something from charity but there may be some costs associated with installation) – £100
Further varieties of plants to enrich the area and biodiversity – £300
Collaboration with community schools, including Loddon Primary School and Leighton Park School (this links with the work that MERL does with community engagement)
Resources development in collaboration with Art and Teaching Hub, that can be focused on observational skills – £300
Digital child-proof cameras (2) – £200 (this will allow children to record some observations)
Celebration with participants, volunteers, MERL and IOE communities involved – £250
TOTAL COSTS REQUESTED: £1850
Please note, we would complete a full health and safety risk assessment and engage estates through the IoE H&S, Well-being Committee, and Well-being Working Group. This project is included in the work of the Well-being Committee and T&L on Climate and Sustainability Education.