{"id":4120,"date":"2015-10-16T16:42:36","date_gmt":"2015-10-16T16:42:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/geopark.org.uk\/pub\/?p=4120"},"modified":"2015-10-16T17:01:52","modified_gmt":"2015-10-16T17:01:52","slug":"the-wyre-forest-discovery-centre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/geopark.org.uk\/pub\/2015\/10\/the-wyre-forest-discovery-centre\/","title":{"rendered":"The Wyre Forest Discovery Centre"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The

The Wyre Forest Discovery Centre<\/p><\/div>\n

The Wyre Forest Discovery Centre, Forestry Commission, is the ideal\u00a0place to get\u00a0groups engaged with nature and the great outdoors.\u00a0 A wide range of a\u00a0programmes for schools which enhance the National Curriculum, and a\u00a0range of fun activities for children and families all in\u00a0a safe and fun learning environment are offered at the Discovery Centre.\u00a0 Interactive displays about the forest, wildlife and wider environmental issues get the children engaged with nature before they venture into the forest.<\/p>\n

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Pre School<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n

Forest Secrets <\/strong>for\u00a0nursery and pre-school groups (a 1.5 hour session to include a push-chair friendly walk with activities, games and a story). Booking essential.<\/p>\n

\"Bug

Bug hunting<\/p><\/div>\n

Forest Friends <\/strong>is a pre-school group for under 5’s and their parents or carers. It meets every Thursday from 10am to 11am outside the Forest Cafe. No booking required.\u00a0The cost is\u00a0\u00a33 per child, and \u00a31 for participating siblings. (For sessions falling in the school holidays you are welcome to bring older siblings to join in).<\/p>\n

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Key Stages 1& 2<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Find out about forests: <\/strong>This programme is an excellent introduction to a forest environment. Children use their senses\u00a0to explore the\u00a0woodland, including\u00a0 searching for seasonal signs and learning the names of of several common trees and plants. Children\u00a0find out\u00a0how trees grow, their importance in our everyday lives and their value as a habitat for wildlife. They will discover how a tree works and the many different uses of wood.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Wyre Forest<\/p><\/div>\n

Trees and Climate Change: <\/strong>A programme introducing the topics of sustainability and climate change. Through exploring the forest environment, playing games and making some basic calculations the children learn the importance of trees as carbon stores, and the role that forests play in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. Our Eco trail highlights the green features of the Discovery Centre and ends the day on a positive note, demonstrating sustainability in practice.<\/p>\n

Animals in the\u00a0forest: <\/strong>By following an animal trail through the forest, children detect signs of animal life and learn how animals are adapted to living in the forest through a variety of activities\u00a0and games. They observe a range of animal skulls and teeth to discover what type of food they eat,\u00a0and construct their own food chains.\u00a0A minibeast hunt (study of a microhabitat) will be included. The children learn to take care of the animals and return them safely.<\/p>\n

Plants in the forest:<\/strong> Children are introduced to the most important ‘inhbitants’ of the forest –\u00a0 the trees! They learn how to identify a number of tre species and group them into deciduous and evergreen. Through\u00a0a number of games and activities the children\u00a0find out what plants need to grow well, and the roles of different parts of\u00a0a plant, including trees.\u00a0Each class will receive a\u00a0young broadleaf\u00a0native tree\u00a0to plant in\u00a0their school grounds.<\/p>\n

Temperate Forests:\u00a0 <\/strong>Children will compare our native temperate forest with a tropical rainforest which they will have studied at school.\u00a0They will consider how and why the\u00a0two biomes differ and examine the impact of seasons on both plant and animal life through a series of engaging activities.\u00a0Children will learn how the FC manages its forests and understand some of the threats currently facing them.<\/p>\n

\"Rocks

Rocks and soil of the Wyre Forest<\/p><\/div>\n

Forest Art: <\/strong>Children explore the forest and the qualities of the natural materials that they find\u00a0to create their own pieces of ephemeral art (individually and in groups) in the tradition of, and inspired by, artists including\u00a0Andy Goldsworthy.<\/p>\n

Maptime (Key Stage 2 only): <\/strong>Children explore the uses of maps and develop their map-reading skills through a progression of indoor and then forest-based\u00a0map challenges. (It is anticipated that schools will stay on site for the whole day and in the afternoon will complete one of our orienteering courses on a self-led basis.<\/p>\n

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Rocks and Soils: <\/strong>Children learn, through fun activities,\u00a0how rocks and soils are formed,\u00a0their importance in everyday life, and their influence in shaping the forest we enjoy today. The properties of different rocks are investigated by making predictions and carrying out trials. The children are invited to try to make their own soil in the forest. (Extend your visit by following the geological timeline and leading a soil habitat activity on a self-led basis in the afternoon. All equipment provided.<\/p>\n

Christmas Special (Key Stage 1 December 2015): <\/strong>A Magical winter experience for KS1 and pre-school children. Come and visit the Wyre Forest in midwinter to find out what the animals are doing at this time of year.\u00a0 The half day programme\u00a0consists of a visit to the specially decorated Discovery Centre, a winter walk and animal trail, a forest story around a camp fire, and a craft activity.\u00a0 Each child will receive a rooted baby tir tree to take home.<\/p>\n

Forest Discovery Pack: <\/strong>An exciting range of at least 9 different cross-curricular activities to choose from. Easy to follow instructions and all equipment provided. The contents of the pack are based on a class of 30 pupils. An activity summary to help you choose in advance is also provided. Cost for half a day hire: \u00a320 per pack. This\u00a0Pack is also available for full day hire for a complete self-led visit at a cost of \u00a330.<\/p>\n

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Key Stages 3 & 4<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Forest issues: <\/strong>This programme is particularly appropriate for studies in Geography and Citizenship at KS3. Students will be introduced to the changing human geography of the forest and how this has shaped and affected its management over time. The demands of conservation, tourism, forestry and sustainability will be discussed. Using practical exercises students will think critically and constructively about the conflicting interests in the forest, and, working in teams, devise solutions to resolve them.<\/p>\n

Sustainability: <\/strong>The Community Discovery Centre building provides an opportunity to investigate various green technologies including a rainwater harvesting system and woodchip boiler. Their potential applications in other buildings will be considered, with reference to climate change and the importance of sustainability and renewable energy, and is therefore appropriate for Citizenship studies. The day will include microclimate investigations.<\/p>\n

Temperate Woodlands: <\/strong>Students will use a variety of field equipment and technologies to investigate woodland ecology, and the extent to which biotic and abiotic factors, including human management, can affect temperate woodland ecosystems. Using practical exercises students will be encouraged to consider the effects of deforestation and climate change. The carbon cycle will also be discussed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Sixth form Geography and Environmental Science<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Groups can use the forest environment to study the ecology and management of the forest.The Wyre Forest is one of the largest and most important ancient semi-natural oak woodlands in England. Much of it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of its biodiversity, particularly its invertebrate life. The forest offers students a variety of habitats to study, from oak and coniferous woodlands to ponds and streams and areas of heathland.<\/p>\n

A\u00a0day with a Forestry Commission ranger includes:<\/p>\n